Displays and information input devices

ABSTRACT

An integrated display and input device includes a first pixel array operative to provide a visually sensible output, a second pixel array operative to sense at least a position of an object with respect to the first pixel array, and circuitry receiving an output from the second pixel array and providing a non-imagewise input to utilization circuitry.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S.Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 15/343,018, filed Nov. 3,2016, which is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional patent applicationSer. No. 12/066,238, filed on Sep. 3, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,949,972,issued on Nov. 15, 2016, which is a U.S. National Stage Entry of PCTApplication No. PCT/IL2006/001047, filed on Sep. 7, 2006, which claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/715,546, filed onSep. 8, 2005, and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/734,027filed on Nov. 3, 2005, the contents of which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to displays and information inputdevices.

BACKGROUND

The following published patent documents, the disclosures of which arehereby incorporated by reference, are believed to represent the currentstate of the art: Great Britain Patent Numbers: GB2299856 and GB2289756;European Patent Number: EP0572182; PCT Patent Application PublicationNumbers: WO02/043045 and WO95/02801; and U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,094,188;6,081,255; 5,926,168; 5,892,501; 5,448,261; 5,227,985; 5,949,402;5,959,617; 5,122,656; 5,506,605 and 4,320,292.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure seeks describes an integrated display and inputdevice. In accordance with one preferred embodiment of the presentdisclosure an integrated display and input device including a firstpixel array operative to provide a visually sensible output, a secondpixel array operative to sense at least a position of an object withrespect to the first pixel array and circuitry receiving an output fromthe second pixel array and providing a non-imagewise input toutilization circuitry.

In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the presentdisclosure the integrated display and input device also includesutilization circuitry providing one or more of portable communicatorfunctionality, interactive television functionality and portablecomputer functionality. Preferably, the second pixel array includes aplurality of detector elements arranged in a plane parallel to a viewingplane. Additionally or alternatively, the second pixel array is coplanarwith the first pixel array.

In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the presentdisclosure the first and second pixel arrays include a plurality ofelements arranged in parallel planes, parallel to a viewing plane.Preferably, the second pixel array includes a detector assembly arrangedat least one edge of a viewing plane defining plate. Additionally, thedetector assembly is arranged about the at least one edge of the viewingplane defining plate. Alternatively, the detector assembly is arrangedalong the at least one edge of the viewing plane defining plate.

In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the presentdisclosure the detector assembly includes a support substrate and anarrangement of detector elements. Preferably the detector assembly alsoincludes a cover layer. Additionally or alternatively, the supportsubstrate is integrated with a housing of the integrated display andinput device.

In accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the presentdisclosure the arrangement of detector elements includes a plurality ofdiscrete single-element detectors. Alternatively, the arrangement ofdetector elements includes an integrally formed multi-element detectorarray. As a further alternative, the arrangement of detector elementsincludes a plurality of discrete multi-element detectors.

In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the presentdisclosure the cover layer is formed of a light transmissive material.Alternatively, the cover layer includes a mask having apertures definedtherein. As a further alternative the cover layer includes afield-of-view defining mask having light-collimating tunnel-definingapertures. As yet a further alternative the cover layer includes lenses.

In accordance with yet a further preferred embodiment of the presentdisclosure the at least one edge includes a mask having aperturesdefined therein. Alternatively, the at least one edge includes afield-of-view defining mask having light-collimating tunnel-definingapertures. As a further alternative the at least one edge includeslenses. Preferably, the second pixel array includes a plurality ofgenerally forward-facing detectors arranged about edges of a displayelement.

In accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the presentdisclosure at least one detector in the arrangement detectselectromagnetic radiation at a baseline level and senses the position ofthe object with respect to the first pixel array and the circuitryprovides the non-imagewise input according to location of at least onedetector in the arrangement for which at least one of the amount ofradiation detected and the change in the amount of radiation detectedexceed a first predetermined threshold.

In accordance with an additional preferred embodiment of the presentdisclosure the change in the amount of radiation detected results fromat least one detector in the arrangement detecting reflected light fromthe object in addition to detecting the radiation at the baseline level.Preferably, the reflected light propagates within the viewing planedefining plate to at least one detector in the arrangement.Alternatively, the reflected light propagates above the viewing planedefining plate to at least one detector in the arrangement. As a furtheralternative, the reflected light is transmitted through the viewingplane defining plate directly to at least one detector in thearrangement.

In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the presentdisclosure the at least one detector in the arrangement detectsradiation at the baseline level, senses the position of the object withrespect to the first pixel array and the circuitry provides thenon-imagewise input according to location of at least one detector inthe arrangement at which the amount of radiation detected is below asecond predetermined threshold.

In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the presentdisclosure the integrated display and input device also includes aprocessing subassembly including detector analyzing processing circuitryoperative to receive detector outputs of individual detectors in thearrangement, to determine at least one of whether the amount ofradiation detected by the individual detectors exceeds the firstpredetermined threshold, whether the change in the amount of radiationdetected by the individual detectors exceeds the first predeterminedthreshold and whether the amount of radiation detected by the individualdetectors is below the second predetermined threshold, and to providedetector analysis outputs for the individual detectors, array processingcircuitry operative to receive the detector analysis outputs ofindividual detectors in the arrangement and to generate an arraydetection output therefrom and position determining circuitry operativeto receive the array detection output of the arrangement and todetermine the position of the object therefrom.

In accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the presentdisclosure the array detection output includes information correspondingto the location of an impingement point of the object on the viewingplane defining plate. Additionally or alternatively, the array detectionoutput includes information corresponding to the location of the objectrelative to the viewing plane defining plate.

In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the presentdisclosure the radiation at the baseline level is provided by at leastone source of illumination external to the integrated display and inputdevice. Preferably the at least one source of illumination includes atleast one of sunlight, artificial room lighting and IR illuminationemitted from a human body. Additionally, the integrated display andinput device also includes an illumination subassembly operative toprovide illumination for augmenting the radiation at the baseline level.Alternatively, the integrated display and input device also includes anillumination subassembly operative to provide the radiation at thebaseline level.

In accordance with yet a further preferred embodiment of the presentdisclosure the illumination subassembly includes at least oneelectromagnetic radiation emitting source. Preferably, the at least oneelectromagnetic radiation emitting source includes at least one of atleast one IR emitting LED and at least one visible light emitting LED.

In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the presentdisclosure the at least one electromagnetic radiation emitting source isdisposed at an intersection of two mutually perpendicular edges of theviewing plane defining plate. Alternatively, the at least oneelectromagnetic radiation emitting source forms part of a lineararrangement of display backlights underlying the viewing plane definingplate.

In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the presentdisclosure the illumination subassembly includes at least one generallylinear arrangement of a plurality of electromagnetic radiation emittingsources arranged in parallel to at least one edge of the viewing planedefining plate. Alternatively, at least one of the at least onegenerally linear arrangement is arranged behind the second pixel array.

There is also provided, in accordance with another preferred embodimentof the present disclosure, a detector assembly including an array ofdiscrete photodiode detectors arranged in mutually spaced relationshipin a plane and field-of-view limiting functionality associated with thearray of discrete photodiode detectors.

There is further provided, in accordance with a further preferredembodiment of the present disclosure, a position sensing assemblyincluding a detector subassembly including an array of discretephotodiode detectors arranged in mutually spaced relationship in a planeand field-of-view limiting functionality associated with the array ofdiscrete photodiode detectors, and a position sensing subassemblyoperative to receive outputs from the array of discrete photodiodedetectors and to provide an output indication of position of an objectfrom which light is received by the array of discrete photodiodedetectors.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, thearray of discrete photodiode detectors includes a one-dimensional lineararray. Additionally or alternatively, the field-of-view limitingfunctionality limits the field-of-view of at least one of the discretephotodiode detectors to a solid angle of less than or equal to 15degrees. Preferably, the field-of-view limiting functionality limits thefield-of-view of at least one of the discrete photodiode detectors to asolid angle of less than or equal to 7 degrees.

In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the field-of-view limiting functionality includes anapertured mask having a thickness of less than approximately 200microns. Alternatively, the field-of-view limiting functionalityincludes an apertured mask having a thickness of less than 500 microns.As a further alternative, the field-of-view limiting functionalityincludes an array of microlenses aligned with the array of discretephotodiode detectors.

There is also provided, in accordance with an additional preferredembodiment of the present disclosure, a position sensing assemblyincluding a plate defining a surface and at least one pixel arrayincluding a plurality of detector elements detecting electromagneticradiation at a baseline level, the at least one pixel array beingoperative to sense a position of an object with respect to the surfaceaccording to locations of ones of the plurality of detector elements atwhich at least one of the amount of radiation detected and the change inthe amount of radiation detected exceed a predetermined threshold.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, thechange in the amount of radiation detected results from ones of theplurality of detector elements detecting reflected light from the objectin addition to detecting the radiation at the baseline level.Preferably, the reflected light propagates within the plate to ones ofthe plurality of detector elements. Alternatively, the reflected lightpropagates above the surface to ones of the plurality of detectorelements. As a further alternative, the reflected light is transmittedthrough the plate directly to at least one of the plurality of detectorelements.

In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the position sensing assembly also includes a processingsubassembly including detector analyzing processing circuitry operativeto receive detector outputs of individual ones of the plurality ofdetector elements, to determine whether at least one of the amount ofradiation and the change in the amount of radiation detected by theindividual ones of the plurality detector element exceeds thepredetermined threshold, and to provide detector analysis outputs forthe individual ones of the plurality of detector elements, arrayprocessing circuitry operative to receive the detector analysis outputsof the plurality of detector elements of a single one of the at leastone pixel array and to generate an array detection output therefrom andposition determining circuitry operative to receive the array detectionoutput of the at least one pixel array and to determine the position ofthe object therefrom.

In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the array detection output includes informationcorresponding to the location of an impingement point of the object onthe surface. Preferably, the array detection output includes informationcorresponding to the location of the object relative to the surface.Additionally or alternatively, the position of the object includes atleast one of a two-dimensional position of the object, athree-dimensional position of the object and angular orientation of theobject.

In accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the radiation at the baseline level is provided by at leastone source of radiation external to the position sensing assembly.Preferably the at least one source of radiation includes at least one ofsunlight, artificial room lighting and IR illumination emitted from ahuman body. Additionally, the position sensing assembly also includes anillumination subassembly operative to provide illumination foraugmenting the radiation at the baseline level. Alternatively, theposition sensing assembly also includes an illumination subassemblyoperative to provide the radiation at the baseline level to theplurality of detector elements.

In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the illumination subassembly includes at least oneelectromagnetic radiation emitting source. Preferably the at least oneelectromagnetic radiation emitting source includes at least one of atleast one IR emitting LED and at least one visible light emitting LED.

In accordance with yet a further preferred embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the at least one pixel array includes at least two pixelarrays arranged at mutually perpendicular edges of the plate.Preferably, the illumination subassembly includes an electromagneticradiation emitting source disposed at an intersection of two of the atleast two pixel arrays. Alternatively, the illumination subassemblyincludes an electromagnetic radiation emitting source disposed at anintersection of two mutually perpendicular edges of the plate, andacross from an intersection point of the two of the at least two pixelarrays. As a further alternative, the illumination subassembly includesat least one electromagnetic radiation emitting source forming part of alinear arrangement of display backlights underlying the plate, which arepreferably IR emitting LEDs. As yet a further alternative, theillumination subassembly includes at least one generally lineararrangement of a plurality of electromagnetic radiation emitting sourcesarranged in parallel to at least one edge of the plate, preferablyarranged such that at least one of the at least one generally lineararrangement is arranged behind at least one of the at least two pixelarrays.

In accordance with still a further preferred embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the at least one pixel array is arranged in a plane parallelto the surface. Preferably, the illumination subassembly includes atleast one generally linear arrangement of a plurality of electromagneticradiation emitting sources arranged in parallel to at least one edge ofthe plate. Alternatively, the illumination subassembly includes anelectromagnetic radiation emitting source disposed at an intersection oftwo mutually perpendicular edges of the plate.

In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the at least one pixel array includes a single pixel arrayarranged along an edge of the plate. Preferably, the illuminationsubassembly includes an electromagnetic radiation emitting sourcedisposed at an intersection of edges of the plate. Alternatively, theillumination subassembly includes at least one electromagnetic radiationemitting source forming part of a linear arrangement of displaybacklights underlying the plate, arranged such that the at least oneelectromagnetic radiation emitting source includes an IR emitting LED.As a further alternative the illumination subassembly includes at leastone generally linear arrangement of a plurality of electromagneticradiation emitting sources arranged in parallel to at least one edge ofthe plate, arranged such that at least one of the at least one generallylinear arrangement is arranged behind the single pixel array.

It is to be appreciated that the phrase “at edges” is to be interpretedbroadly as including structures which are located behind edges, as inthe embodiments shown in FIGS. 10A-10D, 11A-11D, 15A-15D and 16A-16D,about edges as in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 9A-9D and 14A-4D, andalong edges as in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4-7, 8A-8D, 12A-12D and13A-13D.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will be more fully understood and appreciatedfrom the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with thedrawings in which:

FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D are simplified illustrations of four types ofintegrated display and input devices constructed and operative inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are simplified illustrations of portions of two types ofintegrated display and input devices constructed and operative inaccordance with another preferred embodiment of the present disclosure,including detectors arranged in a plane parallel to a viewing plane;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are simplified illustrations of portions of two types ofintegrated display and input devices constructed and operative inaccordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the presentdisclosure, employing elements arranged in parallel planes, parallel toa viewing plane;

FIG. 4 is a simplified illustration of a portion of an input deviceconstructed and operative in accordance with still another preferredembodiment of the present disclosure, employing detectors arranged alongedges of a display element;

FIG. 5 is a simplified illustration of a portion of an input deviceconstructed and operative in accordance with a further preferredembodiment of the present disclosure, employing detectors arranged alongedges of a display element;

FIG. 6 is a simplified illustration of a portion of an input deviceconstructed and operative in accordance with a yet further preferredembodiment of the present disclosure, employing detectors arranged alongedges of a display element;

FIG. 7 is a simplified illustration of a portion of an input deviceconstructed and operative in accordance with an additional preferredembodiment of the present disclosure, employing detectors arranged alongedges of a display element;

FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C and 8D are simplified illustrations of four alternativeembodiments of a portion of an input device constructed and operative inaccordance with another preferred embodiment of the present disclosureemploying detectors arranged along edges of a display element;

FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D are simplified illustrations of four alternativeembodiments of a portion of an input device constructed and operative inaccordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the presentdisclosure, employing forward-facing detectors arranged about edges of adisplay element;

FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D are simplified illustrations of fouralternative embodiments of a portion of an input device constructed andoperative in accordance with still another preferred embodiment of thepresent disclosure, employing forward-facing detectors arranged behindedges of a display element;

FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C and 11D are simplified illustrations of fouralternative embodiments of a portion of an input device constructed andoperative in accordance with a further preferred embodiment of thepresent disclosure, employing forward-facing detectors arranged behindedges of a display element;

FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C and 12D are simplified illustrations of fouralternative embodiments of a portion of an input device constructed andoperative in accordance with a yet further preferred embodiment of thepresent disclosure, employing detectors arranged along edges of adisplay element;

FIGS. 13A, 13B, 13C and 13D are simplified illustrations of fouralternative embodiments of a portion of an input device constructed andoperative in accordance with a still further preferred embodiment of thepresent disclosure, employing detectors arranged along edges of adisplay element;

FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C and 14D are simplified illustrations of fouralternative embodiments of a portion of an input device constructed andoperative in accordance with an additional preferred embodiment of thepresent disclosure, employing forward-facing detectors arranged aboutedges of a display element;

FIGS. 15A, 15B, 15C and 15D are simplified illustrations of fouralternative embodiments of a portion of an input device constructed andoperative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the presentdisclosure, employing forward-facing detectors arranged behind edges ofa display element;

FIGS. 16A, 16B, 16C and 16D are simplified illustrations of fouralternative embodiments of a portion of an input device constructed andoperative in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of thepresent disclosure, employing forward-facing detectors arranged behindedges of a display element;

FIGS. 17A, 17B and 17C are simplified illustrations of three alternativeembodiments of a detector assembly forming part of an integrated displayand input device constructed and operative in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D, 18E and 18F are simplified illustrations ofsix alternative embodiments of an illumination subassembly forming partof an integrated display and input device constructed and operative inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 19 is a simplified illustration of an integrated display and inputdevice constructed and operative in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present disclosure, utilizing electromagneticradiation from a source external to the integrated display and inputdevice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D, which are simplifiedillustrations of four types of integrated display and input devicesconstructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 1A illustrates a mobile telephone 100 having a touch responsiveinput functionality employing light reflection in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present disclosure. As seen in FIG. 1A,arrays 102 of light detector elements 104 are arranged along at leasttwo mutually perpendicular edge surfaces 106 of a viewing plane definingplate 108 overlying a keyboard template display 110. Suitable detectorelements are, for example, Solderable Silicon Photodiodes commerciallyavailable from Advanced Photonix Incorporated of Camarillo, Calif., USAunder catalog designator PDB-C601-1. Arrays 102 may be provided alongall or most of edge surfaces 106. Alternatively, a single array 102 maybe provided along only one edge surface 106 of plate 108. Viewing planedefining plate 108 may be a single or multiple layer plate and may haveone or more coating layers associated therewith.

Light, preferably including light in the IR band, is reflected from auser's finger, a stylus (not shown) or any other suitable reflectiveobject, touching or located in propinquity to plate 108. The light ispropagated within plate 108 and is detected by detector elements 104.The source of the reflected light is preferably external to the mobiletelephone 100, for example as shown in FIG. 19. Suitable external lightsources include sunlight, artificial room lighting and IR illuminationemitted from a human body or other heat source. In an alternatepreferred embodiment, the source of the reflected light may comprise anillumination subassembly 112 which typically includes one or moreelectromagnetic radiation emitting sources, here shown as a single IRemitting LED 114. The illumination subassembly 112 preferably forms partof the integrated display and input device. Examples of various suitableconfigurations of illumination subassembly 112 are described hereinbelow in FIGS. 18A-18F. Optionally, the light emitted by LED 114 may bemodulated by modulating circuitry (not shown).

FIG. 1B illustrates a large screen display 120, such as a televisiondisplay, having a light beam responsive input functionality operative inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. Asseen in FIG. 1B, arrays 122 of generally forward-looking light detectorelements 124 are arranged generally along at least two mutuallyperpendicular edges 126 of display 120. Arrays 122 may be provided alongall or most of edges 126. Alternatively, a single array 122 may beprovided along only one edge 126 of display 120. Light, preferablyincluding light in the IR band emitted by a light beam emitter 128, isdetected directly by one or more of detector elements 124.

FIG. 1C illustrates a tablet computer 130 having a light beam responsiveinput functionality operative in accordance with a preferred embodimentof the present disclosure. As seen in FIG. 1C, a multiplicity of lightdetector elements 134 are interspersed among light emitters 136 arrangedin a plane 138. Examples of such a structure are described in U.S. Pat.No. 7,034,866 and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos.2006/0132463A1, 2006/0007222A1 and 2004/00012565A1, the disclosures ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference. Light, preferably includinglight in the IR band, emitted by a light beam emitter 140, propagatesthrough at least one cover layer 142 and is detected by one or more ofdetector elements 134.

FIG. 1D illustrates a display 150 of a digital camera 152 having a touchresponsive input functionality employing light reflection in accordancewith a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. As seen in FIG.1D, an array 154 of light detector elements 156 is arranged behind an IRtransmissive display panel 158, such as an LCD or OLED, underlying aviewing plane defining plate 160. Viewing plane defining plate 160 maybe a single or multiple layer plate and may have one or more coatinglayers associated therewith. The array 154 of light detector elements156 may be formed of a plurality of discrete detector arrays mounted ona substrate or integrally formed therewith. Alternatively, the array 154may be formed of one or more CCD or CMOS arrays, or may created byphotolithography.

Light, preferably including light in the IR band, is reflected from astylus 162, a user's finger (not shown) or any other suitable reflectiveobject, touching or located in propinquity to plate 160. The lightpropagates through plate 160 and panel 158 and is detected by detectorelements 156.

The source of the reflected light is preferably external to the digitalcamera 152, for example as shown in FIG. 19. Suitable external lightsources include sunlight, artificial room lighting and IR illuminationemitted from a human body or other heat source. In an alternatepreferred embodiment, the source of the reflected light may comprise anillumination subassembly which typically includes one or moreelectromagnetic radiation emitting sources, here shown as a single IRemitting LED 163. The illumination subassembly preferably forms part ofthe integrated display and input device. Examples of various suitableconfigurations of the illumination subassembly are described hereinbelow in FIGS. 18A-18F. Optionally, the light emitted by LED 163 may bemodulated by modulating circuitry (not shown).

Reference is now made to FIGS. 2A and 2B, which are simplifiedillustrations of portions of two types of integrated display and inputdevices constructed and operative in accordance with another preferredembodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2A shows an integrateddisplay and input device having touch responsive input functionality,which is useful for application selection and operation, such as emailcommunication and internet surfing. The input functionality mayincorporate any one or more features of assignee's U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Nos. 60/715,546; 60/734,027; 60/789,188 and60/682,604, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0156914A1 andPCT Patent Application Publication No. WO 2005/094176, the disclosuresof which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIG. 2A illustrates launching an application, such as an e-mailapplication, on a mobile telephone 164, by employing object detectionfunctionality of the type described hereinabove with reference to FIG.1C. As shown, a position of a user's finger is detected by means of atouch responsive input functionality operative in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present disclosure.

As seen in FIG. 2A, a multiplicity of light detector elements 165 areinterspersed among light emitters 166 arranged in a plane 168. Examplesof such a structure are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,034,866 and U.S.Patent Application Publication Nos. 2006/0132463A1, 2006/0007222A1 and2004/00012565A1, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated byreference. Light, preferably including light in the IR band, reflectedby the user's finger, propagates through at least one cover layer 172and is detected by one or more of detector elements 165. The outputs ofdetector elements 165 are processed to indicate one or more of the X, Y,or Z positions and/or angular orientation of the user's finger. Thisdetected position is utilized, as taught inter alia in the aforesaidU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/789,188, to launch anapplication or control any of the other functionalities described inU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/789,188.

The source of the reflected light is preferably external to the mobiletelephone 164, for example as shown in FIG. 19. Suitable external lightsources include sunlight, artificial room lighting and IR illuminationemitted from a human body or other heat source. In an alternatepreferred embodiment, the source of the reflected light may comprise anillumination subassembly 174 which typically includes one or moreelectromagnetic radiation emitting sources, here shown as a single IRemitting LED 176. The illumination subassembly 174 preferably forms partof the integrated display and input device. Examples of various suitableconfigurations of illumination subassembly 174 are described hereinbelow in FIGS. 18A-18F. Optionally, the light emitted by LED 176 may bemodulated by modulating circuitry (not shown).

FIG. 2B shows an integrated display and input device having light beamimpingement responsive input functionality, which is useful forapplication selection and operation, such as email communication andinternet surfing. The input functionality may incorporate any one ormore features of assignee's U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos.60/715,546; 60/734,027; 60/789,188 and 60/682,604, U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2005/0156914A1 and PCT Patent ApplicationPublication No. WO 2005/094176, the disclosures of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

FIG. 2B illustrates launching an application, such as an e-mailapplication, on a mobile telephone 182, by employing object detectionfunctionality of the type described hereinabove with reference to FIG.1C. A position of a stylus 183 is detected by means of a light beamresponsive input functionality operative in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present disclosure. As seen in FIG. 2B, a multiplicityof light detector elements 184 are interspersed among light emitters 186arranged in a plane 188. Examples of such a structure are described inU.S. Pat. No. 7,034,866 and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos.2006/0132463A1, 2006/0007222A1 and 2004/00012565A1, the disclosures ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference. Light, preferably includinglight in the IR band, emitted by stylus 183, propagates through at leastone cover layer 190 and is detected by one or more of detector elements184. The outputs of detector elements 184 are processed to indicate oneor more of the X, Y or Z positions and/or angular orientation of thestylus 183. This detected position is utilized, as taught inter alia inthe aforesaid U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/789,188, tolaunch an application or control any of the other functionalitiesdescribed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/789,188.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 3A and 3B, which are simplifiedillustrations of portions of two types of integrated display and inputdevices constructed and operative in accordance with yet anotherpreferred embodiment of the present disclosure, employing elementsarranged in parallel planes, parallel to a viewing plane.

FIG. 3A shows an integrated display and input system having touchresponsive input functionality, which is useful for applicationselection and operation, such as email communication and internetsurfing. The input functionality may incorporate any one or morefeatures of assignee's U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos.60/715,546; 60/734,027; 60/789,188 and 60/682,604, U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2005/0156914A1 and PCT Patent ApplicationPublication No. WO 2005/094176, the disclosures of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

The touch responsive functionality preferably employs an integrateddisplay and input system including an array 200 of detector elements 202arranged in a plane, parallel to a viewing plane 204. In accordance witha preferred embodiment of the present disclosure the array 200 is formedof a plurality of discrete detector elements 204 placed on a planeintegrally formed therewith. Alternatively, the array 154 may be formedof one or more CCD or CMOS arrays, or may be created byphotolithography.

As seen in FIG. 3A, in one example of a display and input systemstructure, array 200 is arranged behind an IR transmissive display panel206, such as a panel including LCD or OLED elements, underlying aviewing plane defining plate 208. Viewing plane defining plate 208 maybe a single or multiple layer plate and may have one or more coatinglayers associated therewith. In one example of an integrated display andinput system employing an LCD, there are provided one or more lightdiffusing layers 210 overlying a reflector 212. One or more collimatinglayers 214 are typically interposed between reflector 212 and IRtransmissive display panel 206.

FIG. 3A illustrates launching an application, such as an e-mailapplication, on a mobile telephone 216, by employing object detectionfunctionality of the type described hereinabove with reference to FIG.1D. As shown, a position of a user's finger is detected by means of atouch responsive input functionality operative in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present disclosure. Light, preferablyincluding light in the IR band, reflected by the user's finger,propagates through plate 208 and panel 206 and is detected by detectorelements 202. The outputs of detector elements 202 are processed toindicate one or more of the X, Y or Z positions and/or angularorientation of the user's finger. This detected position is utilized, astaught inter alia in the aforesaid U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 60/789,188, to launch an application or control any of the otherfunctionalities described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.60/789,188.

The source of the reflected light is preferably external to the mobiletelephone 216, for example as shown in FIG. 19. Suitable external lightsources include sunlight, artificial room lighting and IR illuminationemitted from a human body or other heat source. In an alternatepreferred embodiment, the source of the reflected light may comprise anillumination subassembly 222 which typically includes one or moreelectromagnetic radiation emitting sources, here shown as a single IRemitting LED 224. The illumination subassembly 222 preferably forms partof the integrated display and input device. Examples of various suitableconfigurations of illumination subassembly 222 are described hereinbelow in FIGS. 18A-18F. Optionally, the light emitted by LED 224 may bemodulated by modulating circuitry (not shown).

FIG. 3B shows an integrated display and input device having light beamimpingement responsive input functionality, which is useful forapplication selection and operation, such as email communication andinternet surfing. The input functionality may incorporate any one ormore features of assignee's U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos.60/715,546; 60/734,027; 60/789,188 and 60/682,604, U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2005/0156914A1 and PCT Patent ApplicationPublication No. WO 2005/094176, the disclosures of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

The light beam impingement responsive functionality preferably employsan integrated display and input system including an array 250 ofdetector elements 252 arranged in a plane, parallel to a viewing plane254. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosurethe array 250 is formed of a plurality of discrete detector elements 252placed on a plane integrally formed therewith. Alternatively, the array250 may be formed of one or more CCD or CMOS arrays, or may be createdby photolithography.

As seen in FIG. 3B, array 250 is arranged behind an IR transmissivedisplay panel 256, such as a panel including LCD or OLED elements,underlying a viewing plane defining plate 258. Viewing plane definingplate 258 may be a single or multiple layer plate and may have one ormore coating layers associated therewith. In another example of anintegrated display and input device employing an LCD, interposed betweenarray 250 and IR transmissive display panel 256, there are provided oneor more light diffusing layers 260 overlying an IR transmissivereflector 262. One or more collimating layers 264 are typicallyinterposed between IR transmissive reflector 262 and IR transmissivedisplay panel 256.

FIG. 3B illustrates launching an application, such as an e-mailapplication on a mobile telephone 266, by employing object detectionfunctionality of the type described hereinabove with reference to FIG.1D. A position of a stylus 268 is detected by means of a light beamresponsive input functionality operative in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present disclosure. Light, preferably including lightin the IR band, emitted by stylus 268, propagates through plate 258,panel 256, one or more of layers 264 and layers 260 and through IRtransmissive reflector 262, and is detected by one or more of detectorelements 252. The outputs of detector elements 252 are processed toindicate one or more of the X, Y or Z positions and/or angularorientation of the stylus 268. This detected position is utilized, astaught inter alia in the aforesaid U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 60/789,188, to launch an application or control any of the otherfunctionalities described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.60/789,188.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which is a simplified illustration of aportion of an input device constructed and operative in accordance withstill another preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, employingdetector elements arranged along edges of a display element. In thestructure of FIG. 4, at least one detector assembly 300 is arrangedalong at least one edge 302 of a viewing plane defining plate 304 tosense light impinging on plate 304 and propagating within the plate tothe edges 302 thereof. Viewing plane defining plate 304 may be a singleor multiple layer plate and may have one or more coating layersassociated therewith. Preferably, detector assemblies 300 are providedalong at least two mutually perpendicular edges 302, as shown, thoughdetector assemblies 300 may be provided along all or most of edges 302.Alternatively a single detector assembly 300 may be provided along onlyone edge 302 of plate 304.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, thedetector assembly 300 comprises a support substrate 306 onto which ismounted a linear arrangement 308 of detector elements 310. Interposedbetween linear arrangement 308 and edge 302 is a cover layer 312. Coverlayer 312 may have multiple functions including physical protection,light intensity limitation, and field-of-view limitation and may haveoptical power. Cover layer 312 may be formed of glass or any othersuitable light transparent material, or of a suitably apertured opaquematerial, such as metal.

The support substrate 306 may be mounted onto a display housing (notshown) or may be integrally formed therewith. The support substrate 306may alternatively be mounted onto an edge 302 of plate 304. The supportsubstrate 306 may be formed of a ceramic material, a material such asFR-4 which is commonly used for PCBs, glass, plastic or a metal such asaluminum. The support substrate may also provide mounting for andelectrical connections to the detector elements 310. A processor 314 forprocessing the outputs of the detector elements 310 may also be mountedon the support substrate 306.

It is a particular feature of this embodiment of the present disclosurethat the detector assembly 300 is extremely thin, preferably under 1 mmoverall. Accordingly, the support substrate 306 is preferably 50-200microns in thickness, the linear arrangement 308 of detector elements310 is preferably 100-400 microns in thickness and the cover layer 312is preferably 100-500 microns in thickness.

The input device shown in FIG. 4 may also include a source of lightwhich is preferably external to the input device, for example as shownin FIG. 19. Suitable external light sources include sunlight, artificialroom lighting and IR illumination emitted from a human body or otherheat source. In an alternate preferred embodiment, the source of lightmay comprise an illumination subassembly 316 which typically includesone or more electromagnetic radiation emitting sources, here shown as asingle IR emitting LED 318. The illumination subassembly 316 preferablyforms part of the integrated display and input device. Examples ofvarious suitable configurations of illumination subassembly 316 aredescribed herein below in FIGS. 18A-18F. Optionally, the light emittedby LED 318 may be modulated by modulating circuitry (not shown).

Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which is a simplified illustration of aportion of an input device constructed and operative in accordance witha further preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, employingdetector elements arranged along edges of a display element. In thestructure of FIG. 5, at least one detector assembly 320 is arrangedalong at least one edge 322 of a viewing plane defining plate 324 tosense light impinging on plate 324 and propagating within the plate tothe edges 322 thereof. Viewing plane defining plate 324 may be a singleor multiple layer plate and may have one or more coating layersassociated therewith. Preferably, detector assemblies 320 are providedalong at least two mutually perpendicular edges 322, as shown, thoughdetector assemblies 320 may be provided along all or most of edges 322.Alternatively a single detector assembly 320 may be provided along onlyone edge 322 of plate 324.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, thedetector assembly 320 comprises a support substrate 326 onto which ismounted a linear arrangement 328 of detector elements 330. Interposedbetween linear arrangement 328 and edge 322 is a cover layer 332. In theillustrated embodiment, cover layer 332 is a field-of-view defining maskhaving apertures 333 formed therein, in sizes and arrangements whichprovide desired fields-of-view for the various corresponding detectorelements 330. Depending on the thickness of layer 332, each detectorelement 330 may have associated therewith a single aperture 333 or aplurality of smaller apertures, here designated by reference numeral334. The selection of aperture size and distribution is determined inpart by the mechanical strength of layer 332. Layer 332 may havemultiple functions including physical protection, field-of-viewlimitation and light intensity limitation, and may have optical power.

Field-of-view limiting functionality may be desirable in this contextbecause it enhances position discrimination by limiting overlap betweenthe fields-of-view of adjacent detector elements 330. Extent offield-of-view limiting may be controlled by the size, pitch andarrangement of apertures 333 and their locations with respect to anddistances from detector elements 330. In accordance with a preferredembodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limits thefield-of-view of at least one of detector elements 330 to a solid angleof less than or equal to 15 degrees. In accordance with anotherpreferred embodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limitsthe field-of-view of at least one of detector elements 330 to a solidangle of less than or equal to 7 degrees.

The support substrate 326 may be mounted onto a display housing (notshown) or may be integrally formed therewith. The support substrate 326may alternatively be mounted onto an edge 322 of plate 324. The supportsubstrate 326 may be formed of a ceramic material, a material such asFR-4 which is commonly used for PCBs, glass, plastic or a metal such asaluminum. The support substrate may also provide mounting for andelectrical connections to the detector elements 330. A processor 335 forprocessing the outputs of the detector elements 330 may also be mountedon the support substrate 326.

The input device shown in FIG. 5 may also include a source of lightwhich is preferably external to the input device, for example as shownin FIG. 19. Suitable external light sources include sunlight, artificialroom lighting and IR illumination emitted from a human body or otherheat source. In an alternate preferred embodiment, the source of lightmay comprise an illumination subassembly 336 which typically includesone or more electromagnetic radiation emitting sources, here shown as asingle IR emitting LED 338. The illumination subassembly 336 preferablyforms part of the integrated display and input device. Examples ofvarious suitable configurations of illumination subassembly 336 aredescribed herein below in FIGS. 18A-18F. Optionally, the light emittedby LED 338 may be modulated by modulating circuitry (not shown).

Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which is a simplified illustration of aportion of an input device constructed and operative in accordance witha yet further preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, employingdetector elements arranged along edges of a display element. In thestructure of FIG. 6, at least one detector assembly 340 is arrangedalong at least one edge 342 of a viewing plane defining plate 344 tosense light impinging on plate 344 and propagating within the plate tothe edges 342 thereof. Viewing plane defining plate 344 may be a singleor multiple layer plate and may have one or more coating layersassociated therewith. Preferably, detector assemblies 340 are providedalong at least two mutually perpendicular edges 342, as shown, thoughdetector assemblies 340 may be provided along all or most of edges 342.Alternatively, a single detector assembly 340 may be provided along onlyone edge 342 of plate 344.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, thedetector assembly 340 comprises a support substrate 346 onto which ismounted a linear arrangement 348 of detector elements 350. Interposedbetween linear arrangement 348 and edge 342 is a cover layer 352.

The embodiment of FIG. 6 differs from that of FIG. 5 in that the coverlayer 352 is substantially thicker than cover layer 332 and ispreferably at least 200 microns in thickness. Layer 352 has apertures353 formed therein, which apertures define light collimating tunnels.Apertures 353 are formed in layer 352, in sizes and arrangements whichprovide desired fields-of-view for the various corresponding detectorelements 350. Depending on the thickness of layer 352, each detectorelement 350 may have associated therewith a single tunnel-definingaperture 353 as shown or a plurality of smaller tunnel-definingapertures. The selection of aperture size and distribution is determinedin part by the mechanical strength of layer 352. Layer 352 may havemultiple functions including physical protection, field-of-viewlimitation and light intensity limitation, and may have optical power.

Field-of-view limiting functionality may be desirable in this contextbecause it enhances position discrimination by limiting overlap betweenthe fields-of-view of adjacent detector elements 350. Extent offield-of-view limiting may be controlled by the size, pitch andarrangement of apertures 353 and their locations with respect to anddistances from detector elements 350. In accordance with a preferredembodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limits thefield-of-view of at least one of detector elements 350 to a solid angleof less than or equal to 15 degrees. In accordance with anotherpreferred embodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limitsthe field-of-view of at least one of detector elements 350 to a solidangle of less than or equal to 7 degrees.

The support substrate 346 may be mounted onto a display housing (notshown) or may be integrally formed therewith. The support substrate 346may alternatively be mounted onto an edge 342 of plate 344. The supportsubstrate 346 may be formed of a ceramic material, a material such asFR-4 which is commonly used for PCBs, glass, plastic or a metal such asaluminum. The support substrate 346 may also provide mounting for andelectrical connections to the detector elements 350. A processor 354 forprocessing the outputs of the detector elements 350 may also be mountedon the support substrate 346.

The input device shown in FIG. 6 may also include a source of lightwhich is preferably external to the input device, for example as shownin FIG. 19. Suitable external light sources include sunlight, artificialroom lighting and IR illumination emitted from a human body or otherheat source. In an alternate preferred embodiment, the source of lightmay comprise an illumination subassembly 356 which typically includesone or more electromagnetic radiation emitting sources, here shown as asingle IR emitting LED 358. The illumination subassembly 356 preferablyforms part of the integrated display and input device. Examples ofvarious suitable configurations of illumination subassembly 356 aredescribed herein below in FIGS. 18A-18F. Optionally, the light emittedby LED 358 may be modulated by modulating circuitry (not shown).

Reference is now made to FIG. 7, which is a simplified illustration of aportion of an input device constructed and operative in accordance withan additional preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, employingdetector elements arranged along edges of a display element. In thestructure of FIG. 7, at least one detector assembly 360 is arrangedalong at least one edge 362 of a viewing plane defining plate 364 tosense light impinging on plate 364 and propagating within the plate tothe edges 362 thereof. Viewing plane defining plate 364 may be a singleor multiple layer plate and may have one or more coating layersassociated therewith. Preferably, detector assemblies 360 are providedalong at least two mutually perpendicular edges 362, as shown, thoughdetector assemblies 360 may be provided along all or most of edges 362.Alternatively, a single detector assembly 360 may be provided along onlyone edge 362 of plate 364.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, thedetector assembly 360 comprises a support substrate 366 onto which ismounted a linear arrangement 368 of detector elements 370. Interposedbetween linear arrangement 368 and edge 362 is a cover layer 372.

The embodiment of FIG. 7 differs from that of FIGS. 5 and 6 in thatapertures in the cover layer in FIGS. 5 and 6 are replaced by lenses 373formed in cover layer 372. Lenses 373 may be integrally formed withlayer 372 or may be discrete elements fitted within suitably sized andpositioned apertures in an opaque substrate. Lenses 373 may beassociated with tunnel-defining apertures or may comprise an array ofmicrolenses aligned with one or more of detector elements 370.

Layer 372 may have multiple functions including physical protection,field-of-view limitation and light intensity limitation, and may haveoptical power. Field-of-view limiting functionality may be desirable inthis context because it enhances position discrimination by limitingoverlap between the fields-of-view of adjacent detector elements 370.

The support substrate 366 may be mounted onto a display housing (notshown) or may be integrally formed therewith. The support substrate 366may alternatively be mounted onto an edge 362 of plate 364. The supportsubstrate 366 may be formed of a ceramic material, a material such asFR-4 which is commonly used for PCBs, glass, plastic or a metal such asaluminum. The support substrate may also provide mounting for andelectrical connections to the detector elements 370. A processor 374 forprocessing the outputs of the detector elements 370 may also be mountedon the support substrate 366.

The input device shown in FIG. 7 may also include a source of lightwhich is preferably external to the input device, for example as shownin FIG. 19. Suitable external light sources include sunlight, artificialroom lighting and IR illumination emitted from a human body or otherheat source. In an alternate preferred embodiment, the source of lightmay comprise an illumination subassembly 376 which typically includesone or more electromagnetic radiation emitting sources, here shown as asingle IR emitting LED 378. The illumination subassembly 376 preferablyforms part of the integrated display and input device. Examples ofvarious suitable configurations of illumination subassembly 376 aredescribed herein below in FIGS. 18A-18F. Optionally, the light emittedby LED 378 may be modulated by modulating circuitry (not shown).

Reference is now made to FIGS. 8A-8D, which are simplified illustrationsof four alternative embodiments of a portion of an input deviceconstructed and operative in accordance with another preferredembodiment of the present disclosure, employing detector elementsarranged along edges of a display element.

In the structure of FIGS. 8A-8D, at least one detector assembly 400 isarranged along at least one edge 402 of a viewing plane defining plate404 to sense light impinging on plate 404 and propagating within theplate to the edges 402 thereof. Viewing plane defining plate 404 may bea single or multiple layer plate and may have one or more coating layersassociated therewith. Preferably, detector assemblies 400 are providedalong at least two mutually perpendicular edges 402, though detectorassemblies 400 may be provided along all or most of edges 402.Alternatively, a single detector assembly 400 may be provided along onlyone edge 402 of plate 404.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, thedetector assembly 400 comprises a support substrate 406 onto which ismounted a linear arrangement 408 of detector elements 410. As distinctfrom the embodiments of FIGS. 4-7, in the embodiments of FIGS. 8A-8D,the cover layer is obviated and its functionality is provided bysuitable conditioning of edge 402 of viewing plane defining plate 404.This functionality may provide multiple functions including physicalprotection, light intensity limitation and field-of-view limitation, andmay have optical power.

The support substrate 406 may be mounted onto a display housing (notshown) or may be integrally formed therewith. The support substrate 406may alternatively be mounted onto an edge 402 of plate 404. The supportsubstrate 406 may be formed of a ceramic material, a material such asFR-4 which is commonly used for PCBs, glass, plastic or a metal such asaluminum. The support substrate may also provide mounting for andelectrical connections to the detector elements 410. A processor 414 forprocessing the outputs of the detector elements 410 may also be mountedon the support substrate 406.

It is a particular feature of this embodiment of the present disclosurethat the detector assembly 400 is extremely thin, preferably under 1 mmoverall. Accordingly, the support substrate 406 is preferably 50-200microns in thickness and the linear arrangement 408 of detector elements410 is preferably 100-400 microns in thickness.

The input devices shown in FIG. 8A-8D may also include a source of lightwhich is preferably external to the input device, for example as shownin FIG. 19. Suitable external light sources include sunlight, artificialroom lighting and IR illumination emitted from a human body or otherheat source. In an alternate preferred embodiment, the source of lightmay comprise an illumination subassembly 416 which typically includesone or more electromagnetic radiation emitting sources, here shown as asingle IR emitting LED 418. The illumination subassembly 416 preferablyforms part of the integrated display and input device. Examples ofvarious suitable configurations of illumination subassembly 416 aredescribed herein below in FIGS. 18A-18F. Optionally, the light emittedby LED 418 may be modulated by modulating circuitry (not shown).

In the embodiment of FIG. 8A, edge 402 is uniformly polished forunimpeded light transmission there-through to linear arrangement 408 ofdetector elements 410.

Reference is now made to FIG. 8B, in which it is seen that edge 402 isconditioned to define a field-of-view defining mask 420 having apertures433 formed therein in sizes and arrangements which provide desiredfields-of-view for the various corresponding detector elements 410. Eachdetector element 410 may have associated therewith a single aperture433, as shown, or a plurality of smaller apertures.

Field-of-view limiting functionality may be desirable in this contextbecause it enhances resolution by limiting overlap between thefields-of-view of adjacent detector elements 410. Extent offield-of-view limiting may be controlled by the size, pitch andarrangement of apertures 433 and their locations with respect to anddistances from detector elements 410. In accordance with a preferredembodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limits thefield-of-view of at least one of detector elements 410 to a solid angleof less than or equal to 15 degrees. In accordance with anotherpreferred embodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limitsthe field-of-view of at least one of detector elements 410 to a solidangle of less than or equal to 7 degrees.

Reference is now made to FIG. 8C, which differs from that of FIG. 8B inthat apertures 433 in mask 420 are replaced by light collimatingtunnel-defining apertures 440 in a mask 442.

Each detector element 410 may have associated therewith a singletunnel-defining aperture 440 as shown or a plurality of smallertunnel-defining apertures.

Field-of-view limiting functionality may be desirable in this contextbecause it enhances resolution by limiting overlap between thefields-of-view of adjacent detector elements 410. Extent offield-of-view limiting may be controlled by the size, pitch andarrangement of apertures 440 and their locations with respect to anddistances from detector elements 410. In accordance with a preferredembodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limits thefield-of-view of at least one of detector elements 410 to a solid angleof less than or equal to 15 degrees. In accordance with anotherpreferred embodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limitsthe field-of-view of at least one of detector elements 410 to a solidangle of less than or equal to 7 degrees.

Reference is now made to FIG. 8D, which differs from that of FIGS. 5Band 8C in that the apertures in FIGS. 8B and 8C are replaced by lenses453. Lenses 453 may be integrally formed at edges 402 or may be discreteelements fitted within suitably sized and positioned apertures in plate404. Lenses 453 may be associated with tunnel-defining apertures or maycomprise an array of microlenses aligned with one or more of detectorelements 410.

Field-of-view limiting functionality may be desirable in this contextbecause it enhances resolution by limiting overlap between thefields-of-view of adjacent detector elements 410. Extent offield-of-view limiting may be controlled by the size, pitch andarrangement of lenses 453 and their locations with respect to anddistances from detector elements 410. In accordance with a preferredembodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limits thefield-of-view of at least one of detector elements 410 to a solid angleof less than or equal to 15 degrees. In accordance with anotherpreferred embodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limitsthe field-of-view of at least one of detector elements 410 to a solidangle of less than or equal to 7 degrees.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D, which are simplifiedillustrations of four alternative embodiments of a portion of an inputdevice constructed and operative in accordance with yet anotherpreferred embodiment of the present disclosure, employing forward-facingdetector elements arranged about edges of a display element.

In the structure of FIGS. 9A-9D, at least one detector assembly 500 isarranged about at least one edge 502 of a viewing plane defining plate504 to sense light impinging directly onto detector assembly 500.Viewing plane defining plate 504 may be a single or multiple layer plateand may have one or more coating layers associated therewith. Light,preferably including light in the IR band, is emitted by a light beamemitter such as light beam emitter 128 in the embodiment of FIG. 1B or alight reflecting object as in the embodiment of FIG. 1A. Preferably,detector assemblies 500 are provided along at least two mutuallyperpendicular edges 502, though detector assemblies 500 may be providedalong all or most of edges 502. Alternatively, a single detectorassembly 500 may be provided along only one edge 502 of plate 504.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, thedetector assembly 500 comprises a support substrate 506 onto which ismounted a linear arrangement 508 of detector elements 510. As distinctfrom the embodiments of FIGS. 8A-8D, there is provided a cover layer 512and as distinct from the embodiments of FIGS. 4-7, the detector assembly500 and the detector elements 510 are generally forward facing, in thesense illustrated generally in FIG. 1B and described hereinabove withrespect thereto. The cover layer 512 may provide multiple functionsincluding physical protection, light intensity limitation andfield-of-view limitation, and may have optical power.

The support substrate 506 may be mounted onto a display housing (notshown) or may be integrally formed therewith. The support substrate 506may alternatively be mounted onto an edge 502 of plate 504. The supportsubstrate 506 may be formed of a ceramic material, a material such asFR-4 which is commonly used for PCBs, glass, plastic or a metal such asaluminum. The support substrate may also provide mounting for andelectrical connections to the detector elements 510. A processor 514 forprocessing the outputs of the detector elements 510 may also be mountedon the support substrate 506.

It is a particular feature of this embodiment of the present disclosurethat the detector assembly 500 is extremely thin, preferably under 1 mmoverall. Accordingly, the support substrate 506 is preferably 50-200microns in thickness and the linear arrangement 508 of detector elements510 is preferably 100-400 microns in thickness and the cover layer 512is preferably 100-500 microns in thickness.

The input devices shown in FIG. 9A-9D may also include a source of lightwhich is preferably external to the input device, for example as shownin FIG. 19. Suitable external light sources include sunlight, artificialroom lighting and IR illumination emitted from a human body or otherheat source. In an alternate preferred embodiment, the source of lightmay comprise an illumination subassembly 516 which typically includesone or more electromagnetic radiation emitting sources, here shown as asingle IR emitting LED 518. The illumination subassembly 516 preferablyforms part of the integrated display and input device. Examples ofvarious suitable configurations of illumination subassembly 516 aredescribed herein below in FIGS. 18A-18F. Optionally, the light emittedby LED 518 may be modulated by modulating circuitry (not shown).

In the embodiment of FIG. 9A, cover layer 512 is formed of glass or anyother suitable light transparent material.

Reference is now made to FIG. 9B, in which it is seen that cover layer512 includes a field-of-view defining mask 520 having apertures 533formed therein in sizes and arrangements which provide desiredfields-of-view for the various corresponding detector elements 510. Eachdetector element 510 may have associated therewith a single aperture533, as shown, or a plurality of smaller apertures.

Field-of-view limiting functionality may be desirable in this contextbecause it enhances resolution by limiting overlap between thefields-of-view of adjacent detector elements 510. Extent offield-of-view limiting may be controlled by the size, pitch andarrangement of apertures 533 and their locations with respect to anddistances from detector elements 510. In accordance with a preferredembodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limits thefield-of-view of at least one of detector elements 510 to a solid angleof less than or equal to 15 degrees. In accordance with anotherpreferred embodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limitsthe field-of-view of at least one of detector elements 510 to a solidangle of less than or equal to 7 degrees.

Reference is now made to FIG. 9C, which differs from that of FIG. 9B inthat apertures 533 in mask 520 are replaced by light collimatingtunnel-defining apertures 540 in a mask 542.

Each detector element 510 may have associated therewith a singletunnel-defining aperture 540 as shown or a plurality of smallertunnel-defining apertures.

Field-of-view limiting functionality may be desirable in this contextbecause it enhances resolution by limiting overlap between thefields-of-view of adjacent detector elements 510. Extent offield-of-view limiting may be controlled by the size, pitch andarrangement of apertures 540 and their locations with respect to anddistances from detector elements 510. In accordance with a preferredembodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limits thefield-of-view of at least one of detector elements 510 to a solid angleof less than or equal to 15 degrees. In accordance with anotherpreferred embodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limitsthe field-of-view of at least one of detector elements 510 to a solidangle of less than or equal to 7 degrees.

Reference is now made to FIG. 9D, which differs from that of FIGS. 9Band 9C in that the apertures in FIGS. 9B and 9C are replaced by lenses553. Lenses 553 may be integrally formed with cover layer 512 or may bediscrete elements fitted within suitably sized and positioned aperturesin cover layer 512. Lenses 553 may be associated with tunnel-definingapertures or may comprise an array of microlenses aligned with one ormore of detector elements 510.

Field-of-view limiting functionality may be desirable in this contextbecause it enhances resolution by limiting overlap between thefields-of-view of adjacent detector elements 510. Extent offield-of-view limiting may be controlled by the size, pitch andarrangement of lenses 553 and their locations with respect to anddistances from detector elements 510. In accordance with a preferredembodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limits thefield-of-view of at least one of detector elements 510 to a solid angleof less than or equal to 15 degrees. In accordance with anotherpreferred embodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limitsthe field-of-view of at least one of detector elements 510 to a solidangle of less than or equal to 7 degrees.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D, which aresimplified illustrations of four alternative embodiments of a portion ofan input device constructed and operative in accordance with stillanother preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, employingforward-facing detector elements arranged behind edges of a displayelement.

In the structure of FIGS. 10A-10D, at least one detector assembly 600 isarranged behind at least one edge 602 of a viewing plane defining plate604 to sense light impinging onto detector assembly 600 afterpropagating through plate 604. Viewing plane defining plate 604 may be asingle or multiple layer plate and may have one or more coating layersassociated therewith. The light, preferably including light in the IRband, is emitted by a light beam emitter such as light beam emitter 128in the embodiment of FIG. 1B or a light reflecting object as in theembodiment of FIG. 1A. Preferably, detector assemblies 600 are providedbehind at least two mutually perpendicular edges 602, though detectorassemblies 600 may be provided behind all or most of edges 602.Alternatively, a single detector assembly 600 may provided behind onlyone of edges 602.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, thedetector assembly 600 comprises a support substrate 606 onto which ismounted a linear arrangement 608 of detector elements 610. Similarly tothe embodiments of FIGS. 9A-9D, there is provided a cover layer 612 andas distinct from the embodiments of FIGS. 4-7, the detector assembly 600and the detector elements 610 are generally forward facing, in the senseillustrated generally in FIG. 1B and described hereinabove with respectthereto. The cover layer 612 may provide multiple functions includingphysical protection, light intensity limitation and field-of-viewlimitation, and may have optical power.

The support substrate 606 may be mounted onto a display housing (notshown) or may be integrally formed therewith. The support substrate 606may alternatively be mounted onto a rearward facing surface 613 of plate604 at the edge 602 lying in front of the linear arrangement 608. Thesupport substrate 606 may be formed of a ceramic material, a materialsuch as FR-4 which is commonly used for PCBs, glass, plastic or a metalsuch as aluminum. The support substrate may also provide mounting forand electrical connections to the detector elements 610. A processor 614for processing the outputs of the detector elements 610 may also bemounted on the support substrate 606.

It is a particular feature of this embodiment of the present disclosurethat the detector assembly 600 is extremely thin, preferably under 1 mmoverall. Accordingly, the support substrate 606 is preferably 50-200microns in thickness and the linear arrangement 608 of detector elements610 is preferably 100-400 microns in thickness and the cover layer 612is preferably 100-500 microns in thickness.

The input devices shown in FIG. 10A-10D may also include a source oflight which is preferably external to the input device, for example asshown in FIG. 19. Suitable external light sources include sunlight,artificial room lighting and IR illumination emitted from a human bodyor other heat source. In an alternate preferred embodiment, the sourceof light may comprise an illumination subassembly 616 which typicallyincludes one or more electromagnetic radiation emitting sources, hereshown as a single IR emitting LED 618. The illumination subassembly 616preferably forms part of the integrated display and input device.Examples of various suitable configurations of illumination subassembly616 are described hereinbelow in FIGS. 18A-18F. Optionally, the lightemitted by LED 618 may be modulated by modulating circuitry (not shown).

In the embodiment of FIG. 10A, cover layer 612 is formed of glass or anyother suitable light transparent material.

Reference is now made to FIG. 10B, in which it is seen that cover layer612 includes a field-of-view defining mask 620 having apertures 633formed therein in sizes and arrangements which provide desiredfields-of-view for the various corresponding detector elements 610. Eachdetector element 610 may have associated therewith a single aperture 633as shown or a plurality of smaller apertures.

Field-of-view limiting functionality may be desirable in this contextbecause it enhances resolution by limiting overlap between thefields-of-view of adjacent detector elements 610. Extent offield-of-view limiting may be controlled by the size, pitch andarrangement of apertures 633 and their locations with respect to anddistances from detector elements 610. In accordance with a preferredembodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limits thefield-of-view of at least one of detector elements 610 to a solid angleof less than or equal to 15 degrees. In accordance with anotherpreferred embodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limitsthe field-of-view of at least one of detector elements 610 to a solidangle of less than or equal to 7 degrees.

Reference is now made to FIG. 10C, which differs from that of FIG. 10Bin that apertures 633 in mask 620 are replaced by light collimatingtunnel-defining apertures 640 in a mask 642.

Each detector element 610 may have associated therewith a singletunnel-defining aperture 640 as shown or a plurality of smallertunnel-defining apertures.

Field-of-view limiting functionality may be desirable in this contextbecause it enhances resolution by limiting overlap between thefields-of-view of adjacent detector elements 610. Extent offield-of-view limiting may be controlled by the size, pitch andarrangement of apertures 640 and their locations with respect to anddistances from detector elements 610. In accordance with a preferredembodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limits thefield-of-view of at least one of detector elements 610 to a solid angleof less than or equal to 15 degrees. In accordance with anotherpreferred embodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limitsthe field-of-view of at least one of detector elements 610 to a solidangle of less than or equal to 7 degrees.

Reference is now made to FIG. 10D, which differs from that of FIGS. 10Band 10C in that the apertures in FIGS. 10B and 10C are replaced bylenses 653. Lenses 653 may be integrally formed with cover layer 612 ormay be discrete elements fitted within suitably sized and positionedapertures in cover layer 612. Lenses 653 may be associated withtunnel-defining apertures or may comprise an array of microlensesaligned with one or more of detector elements 610.

Field-of-view limiting functionality may be desirable in this contextbecause it enhances resolution by limiting overlap between thefields-of-view of adjacent detector elements 610. Extent offield-of-view limiting may be controlled by the size, pitch andarrangement of lenses 653 and their locations with respect to anddistances from detector elements 610. In accordance with a preferredembodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limits thefield-of-view of at least one of detector elements 610 to a solid angleof less than or equal to 15 degrees. In accordance with anotherpreferred embodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limitsthe field-of-view of at least one of detector elements 610 to a solidangle of less than or equal to 7 degrees.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C and 11D, which aresimplified illustrations of four alternative embodiments of a portion ofan input device constructed and operative in accordance with a furtherpreferred embodiment of the present disclosure, employing forward-facingdetector elements arranged behind edges of a display element.

In the structure of FIGS. 11A-11D, at least one detector assembly 700 isarranged behind at least one edge 702 of a viewing plane defining plate704 to sense light impinging on plate 704 and propagating within theplate to the edges 702 thereof. Viewing plane defining plate 704 may bea single or multiple layer plate and may have one or more coating layersassociated therewith. Preferably, detector assemblies 700 are providedbehind at least two mutually perpendicular edges 702, though detectorassemblies 700 may be provided behind all or most of edges 702.Alternatively, a single detector assembly 700 may be provided behindplate 704 at only one edge thereof.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, thedetector assembly 700 comprises a support substrate 706 onto which ismounted a linear arrangement 708 of detector elements 710. As distinctfrom the embodiments of FIGS. 4-7, in the embodiments of FIGS. 11A-11D,the detector assembly 700 and the detector elements 710 are generallyforward facing, in the sense illustrated generally in FIG. 1B anddescribed hereinabove with respect thereto. Also as distinct from theembodiments of FIGS. 10A-10D, the cover layer is obviated and itsfunctionality is provided by suitable conditioning of a rearward facingsurface 711 of plate 704 at the edge 702 lying in front of the lineararrangement 708. This functionality may provide multiple functionsincluding physical protection, light intensity limitation andfield-of-view limitation, and may have optical power.

The support substrate 706 may be mounted onto a display housing (notshown) or may be integrally formed therewith. The support substrate 706may alternatively be mounted onto the rearward facing surface 711 ofplate 704 at the edge 702. The support substrate 706 may be formed of aceramic material, a material such as FR-4 which is commonly used forPCBs, glass, plastic or a metal such as aluminum. The support substratemay also provide mounting for and electrical connections to the detectorelements 710. A processor 714 for processing the outputs of the detectorelements 710 may also be mounted on the support substrate 706.

It is a particular feature of this embodiment of the present disclosurethat the detector assembly 700 is extremely thin, preferably under 1 mmoverall. Accordingly, the support substrate 706 is preferably 50-200microns in thickness and the linear arrangement 708 of detector elements710 is preferably 100-400 microns in thickness.

The input devices shown in FIG. 11A-11D may also include a source oflight which is preferably external to the input device, for example asshown in FIG. 19. Suitable external light sources include sunlight,artificial room lighting and IR illumination emitted from a human bodyor other heat source. In an alternate preferred embodiment, the sourceof light may comprise an illumination subassembly 716 which typicallyincludes one or more electromagnetic radiation emitting sources, hereshown as a single IR emitting LED 718. The illumination subassembly 716preferably forms part of the integrated display and input device.Examples of various suitable configurations of illumination subassembly716 are described herein below in FIGS. 18A-18F. Optionally, the lightemitted by LED 718 may be modulated by modulating circuitry (not shown).

In the embodiment of FIG. 11A, the rearward facing surface 711 of plate704 at the edge 702 lying in front of the linear arrangement 708 isuniformly polished for unimpeded light transmission there-through tolinear arrangement 708 of detector elements 710.

Reference is now made to FIG. 11B, in which it is seen that the rearwardfacing surface 711 of plate 704 at the edge 702 lying in front of thelinear arrangement 708 is conditioned to define a field-of-view definingmask 720 having apertures 733 formed therein in sizes and arrangementswhich provide desired fields-of-view for the various correspondingdetector elements 710. Each detector element 710 may have associatedtherewith a single aperture 733 as shown or a plurality of smallerapertures.

Field-of-view limiting functionality may be desirable in this contextbecause it enhances resolution by limiting overlap between thefields-of-view of adjacent detector elements 710. Extent offield-of-view limiting may be controlled by the size, pitch andarrangement of apertures 733 and their locations with respect to anddistances from detector elements 710. In accordance with a preferredembodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limits thefield-of-view of at least one of detector elements 710 to a solid angleof less than or equal to 15 degrees. In accordance with anotherpreferred embodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limitsthe field-of-view of at least one of detector elements 710 to a solidangle of less than or equal to 7 degrees.

Reference is now made to FIG. 11C, which differs from that of FIG. 11Bin that apertures 733 in mask 720 are replaced by light collimatingtunnel-defining apertures 740 in a mask 742.

Each detector element 710 may have associated therewith a singletunnel-defining aperture 740 as shown or a plurality of smallertunnel-defining apertures.

Field-of-view limiting functionality may be desirable in this contextbecause it enhances resolution by limiting overlap between thefields-of-view of adjacent detector elements 710. Extent offield-of-view limiting may be controlled by the size, pitch andarrangement of apertures 740 and their locations with respect to anddistances from detector elements 710. In accordance with a preferredembodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limits thefield-of-view of at least one of detector elements 710 to a solid angleof less than or equal to 15 degrees. In accordance with anotherpreferred embodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limitsthe field-of-view of at least one of detector elements 710 to a solidangle of less than or equal to 7 degrees.

Reference is now made to FIG. 11D, which differs from that of FIGS. 11Band 11C in that the apertures in FIGS. 11B and 11C are replaced bylenses 753. Lenses 753 may be integrally formed at edges 702 or may bediscrete elements fitted within suitably sized and positioned aperturesin plate 704. Lenses 753 may be associated with tunnel-definingapertures or may comprise an array of microlenses aligned with one ormore of detector elements 710.

Field-of-view limiting functionality may be desirable in this contextbecause it enhances resolution by limiting overlap between thefields-of-view of adjacent detector elements 710. Extent offield-of-view limiting may be controlled by the size, pitch andarrangement of lenses 753 and their locations with respect to anddistances from detector elements 710. In accordance with a preferredembodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limits thefield-of-view of at least one of detector elements 710 to a solid angleof less than or equal to 15 degrees. In accordance with anotherpreferred embodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limitsthe field-of-view of at least one of detector elements 710 to a solidangle of less than or equal to 7 degrees.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C and 12D, which aresimplified illustrations of four alternative embodiments of a portion ofan input device constructed and operative in accordance with a yetfurther preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, employingdetector elements arranged along edges of a display element.

In the structure of FIGS. 12A-12D, at least one detector assembly 800 isarranged along at least one edge 802 of a viewing plane defining plate804 to sense light impinging on plate 804 and propagating within theplate to the edges 802 thereof. Viewing plane defining plate 804 may bea single or multiple layer plate and may have one or more coating layersassociated therewith. Preferably, detector assemblies 800 are providedalong at least two mutually perpendicular edges 802, though detectorassemblies 800 may be provided along all or most of edges 802.Alternatively, a single detector assembly 800 may be provided along onlyone edge 802 of plate 804.

The detector assembly 800 includes a linear arrangement 808 of detectorelements 810. As distinct from the embodiments of FIGS. 8A-8D, thedetector assembly 800 does not comprise a support substrate onto whichis mounted a linear arrangement of detector elements. In the embodimentsof FIGS. 12A-12D, the support substrate of FIGS. 8A-8D is replaced by aportion of a peripheral housing 812. Similarly to the embodiments ofFIGS. 4-7 there is provided a cover layer 814 which provides multiplefunctions including physical protection, light intensity limitation andfield-of-view limitation, and may have optical power.

The peripheral housing 812 may be formed of any suitable materialincluding, for example, ceramic material, a material such as FR-4 whichis commonly used for PCBs, glass, plastic or a metal such as aluminum.The peripheral housing 812 may also provide mounting for and electricalconnections to the detector elements 810. A processor 816 for processingthe outputs of the detector elements 810 may also be mounted on theperipheral housing 812.

It is a particular feature of this embodiment of the present disclosurethat the detector assembly 800 is extremely thin, preferably under 1 mmoverall. Accordingly, the linear arrangement 808 of detector elements810 is preferably 100-400 microns in thickness.

The input devices shown in FIG. 12A-12D may also include a source oflight which is preferably external to the input device, for example asshown in FIG. 19. Suitable external light sources include sunlight,artificial room lighting and IR illumination emitted from a human bodyor other heat source. In an alternate preferred embodiment, the sourceof light may comprise an illumination subassembly 817 which typicallyincludes one or more electromagnetic radiation emitting sources, hereshown as a single IR emitting LED 818. The illumination subassembly 817preferably forms part of the integrated display and input device.Examples of various suitable configurations of illumination subassembly817 are described herein below in FIGS. 18A-18F. Optionally, the lightemitted by LED 818 may be modulated by modulating circuitry (not shown).

In the embodiment of FIG. 12A, cover layer 814 provides generallyunimpeded light transmission there-through to linear arrangement 808 ofdetector elements 810.

Reference is now made to FIG. 12B, in which it is seen that cover layer814 defines a field-of-view defining mask 820 having apertures 833formed therein in sizes and arrangements which provide desiredfields-of-view for the various corresponding detector elements 810. Eachdetector element 810 may have associated therewith a single aperture 833as shown or a plurality of smaller apertures.

Field-of-view limiting functionality may be desirable in this contextbecause it enhances resolution by limiting overlap between thefields-of-view of adjacent detector elements 810. Extent offield-of-view limiting may be controlled by the size, pitch andarrangement of apertures 833 and their locations with respect to anddistances from detector elements 810. In accordance with a preferredembodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limits thefield-of-view of at least one of detector elements 810 to a solid angleof less than or equal to 15 degrees. In accordance with anotherpreferred embodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limitsthe field-of-view of at least one of detector elements 810 to a solidangle of less than or equal to 7 degrees.

Reference is now made to FIG. 12C, which differs from that of FIG. 12Bin that apertures 833 in mask 820 are replaced by light collimatingtunnel-defining apertures 840 in a mask 842.

Each detector element 810 may have associated therewith a singletunnel-defining aperture 840 as shown or a plurality of smallertunnel-defining apertures.

Field-of-view limiting functionality may be desirable in this contextbecause it enhances resolution by limiting overlap between thefields-of-view of adjacent detector elements 810. Extent offield-of-view limiting may be controlled by the size, pitch andarrangement of apertures 840 and their locations with respect to anddistances from detector elements 810. In accordance with a preferredembodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limits thefield-of-view of at least one of detector elements 810 to a solid angleof less than or equal to 15 degrees. In accordance with anotherpreferred embodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limitsthe field-of-view of at least one of detector elements 810 to a solidangle of less than or equal to 7 degrees.

Reference is now made to FIG. 12D, which differs from that of FIGS. 12Band 12C in that the apertures in FIGS. 12B and 12C are replaced bylenses 853. Lenses 853 may be integrally formed at edges 802 or may bediscrete elements fitted within suitably sized and positioned aperturesin plate 804. Lenses 853 may be associated with tunnel-definingapertures or may comprise an array of microlenses aligned with one ormore of detector elements 810.

Field-of-view limiting functionality may be desirable in this contextbecause it enhances resolution by limiting overlap between thefields-of-view of adjacent detector elements 810. Extent offield-of-view limiting may be controlled by the size, pitch andarrangement of lenses 853 and their locations with respect to anddistances from detector elements 810. In accordance with a preferredembodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limits thefield-of-view of at least one of detector elements 810 to a solid angleof less than or equal to 15 degrees. In accordance with anotherpreferred embodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limitsthe field-of-view of at least one of detector elements 810 to a solidangle of less than or equal to 7 degrees.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 13A, 13B, 13C and 13D, which aresimplified illustrations of four alternative embodiments of a portion ofan input device constructed and operative in accordance with a stillfurther preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, employingdetector elements arranged along edges of a display element.

In the structure of FIGS. 13A-13D, at least one detector assembly 860 isarranged along at least one edge 862 of a viewing plane defining plate864 to sense light impinging on plate 864 and propagating within theplate to the edges 862 thereof. Viewing plane defining plate 864 may bea single or multiple layer plate and may have one or more coating layersassociated therewith. Preferably, detector assemblies 860 are providedalong at least two mutually perpendicular edges 862, though detectorassemblies 860 may be provided along all or most of edges 862.Alternatively, a single detector assembly 860 may be provided along onlyone edge 862 of plate 864.

The detector assembly 860 includes a linear arrangement 868 of detectorelements 870. As distinct from the embodiments of FIGS. 12A-12D, in theembodiments of FIGS. 13A-13D, the cover layer is obviated and itsfunctionality is provided by suitable conditioning of edge 862 ofviewing plane defining plate 864. This functionality may providemultiple functions including physical protection, light intensitylimitation and field-of-view limitation, and may have optical power.

As in the embodiment of FIGS. 13A-13D, detector assembly 860 does notcomprise a support substrate onto which is mounted a linear arrangementof detector elements. In the embodiments of FIGS. 13A-13D, the supportsubstrate of FIGS. 8A-8D is replaced by a portion of a peripheralhousing 872.

The peripheral housing 872 may be formed of any suitable materialincluding, for example, ceramic material, a material such as FR-4 whichis commonly used for PCBs, glass, plastic or a metal such as aluminum.The peripheral housing 872 may also provide mounting for and electricalconnections to the detector elements 870. A processor 876 for processingthe outputs of the detector elements 870 may also be mounted on theperipheral housing 872.

It is a particular feature of this embodiment of the present disclosurethat the detector assembly 860 is extremely thin, preferably under 1 mmoverall. Accordingly, the linear arrangement 868 of detector elements870 is preferably 100-400 microns in thickness.

The input devices shown in FIG. 13A-13D may also include a source oflight which is preferably external to the input device, for example asshown in FIG. 19. Suitable external light sources include sunlight,artificial room lighting and IR illumination emitted from a human bodyor other heat source. In an alternate preferred embodiment, the sourceof light may comprise an illumination subassembly 877 which typicallyincludes one or more electromagnetic radiation emitting sources, hereshown as a single IR emitting LED 878. The illumination subassembly 877preferably forms part of the integrated display and input device.Examples of various suitable configurations of illumination subassembly877 are described herein below in FIGS. 18A-18F. Optionally, the lightemitted by LED 878 may be modulated by modulating circuitry (not shown).

In the embodiment of FIG. 13A, edge 862 is uniformly polished forunimpeded light transmission there-through to linear arrangement 868 ofdetector elements 870.

Reference is now made to FIG. 13B, in which it is seen that edge 862 isconditioned to define a field-of-view defining mask 880 having apertures883 formed therein in sizes and arrangements which provide desiredfields-of-view for the various corresponding detector elements 870. Eachdetector element 870 may have associated therewith a single aperture 883as shown or a plurality of smaller apertures.

Field-of-view limiting functionality may be desirable in this contextbecause it enhances resolution by limiting overlap between thefields-of-view of adjacent detector elements 870. Extent offield-of-view limiting may be controlled by the size, pitch andarrangement of apertures 883 and their locations with respect to anddistances from detector elements 870. In accordance with a preferredembodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limits thefield-of-view of at least one of detector elements 870 to a solid angleof less than or equal to 15 degrees. In accordance with anotherpreferred embodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limitsthe field-of-view of at least one of detector elements 870 to a solidangle of less than or equal to 7 degrees.

Reference is now made to FIG. 13C, which differs from that of FIG. 13Bin that apertures 883 in mask 880 are replaced by light collimatingtunnel-defining apertures 890 in a mask 892.

Each detector element 870 may have associated therewith a singletunnel-defining aperture 890 as shown or a plurality of smallertunnel-defining apertures.

Field-of-view limiting functionality may be desirable in this contextbecause it enhances resolution by limiting overlap between thefields-of-view of adjacent detector elements 870. Extent offield-of-view limiting may be controlled by the size, pitch andarrangement of apertures 890 and their locations with respect to anddistances from detector elements 870. In accordance with a preferredembodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limits thefield-of-view of at least one of detector elements 870 to a solid angleof less than or equal to 15 degrees. In accordance with anotherpreferred embodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limitsthe field-of-view of at least one of detector elements 870 to a solidangle of less than or equal to 7 degrees.

Reference is now made to FIG. 13D, which differs from FIGS. 13B and 13Cin that the apertures in FIGS. 13B and 13C are replaced by lenses 893.Lenses 893 may be integrally formed at edges 862 or may be discreteelements fitted within suitably sized and positioned apertures in plate864. Lenses 893 may be associated with tunnel-defining apertures or maycomprise an array of microlenses aligned with one or more of detectorelements 870.

Field-of-view limiting functionality may be desirable in this contextbecause it enhances resolution by limiting overlap between thefields-of-view of adjacent detector elements 870. Extent offield-of-view limiting may be controlled by the size, pitch andarrangement of lenses 893 and their locations with respect to anddistances from detector elements 870. In accordance with a preferredembodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limits thefield-of-view of at least one of detector elements 870 to a solid angleof less than or equal to 15 degrees. In accordance with anotherpreferred embodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limitsthe field-of-view of at least one of detector elements 870 to a solidangle of less than or equal to 7 degrees.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C and 14D, which aresimplified illustrations of four alternative embodiments of a portion ofan input device constructed and operative in accordance with anadditional preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, employingforward-facing detector elements arranged about edges of a displayelement.

In the structure of FIGS. 14A-14D, at least one detector assembly 900 isarranged about at least one edge 902 of a viewing plane defining plate904 to sense light impinging directly onto detector assembly 900.Viewing plane defining plate 904 may be a single or multiple layer plateand may have one or more coating layers associated therewith. The light,preferably including light in the IR band, is emitted by a light beamemitter such as light beam emitter 128 in the embodiment of FIG. 1B or alight reflecting object as in the embodiment of FIG. 1A. Preferably,detector assemblies 900 are provided along at least two mutuallyperpendicular edges 902, though detector assemblies 900 may be providedalong all or most of edges 902. Alternatively, a single detectorassembly 900 may be provided along only one edge 902 of plate 904.

The detector assembly 900 includes a linear arrangement 908 of detectorelements 910. As distinct from the embodiments of FIGS. 9A-9D, thedetector assembly 900 does not comprise a support substrate onto whichis mounted a linear arrangement of detector elements. In the embodimentsof FIGS. 14A-14D, the support substrate of FIGS. 9A-9D is replaced by aportion of a peripheral housing 912. Similarly to the embodiments ofFIGS. 9A-9D there is provided a cover layer 914 which provides multiplefunctions including physical protection, light intensity limitation andfield-of-view limitation, and may have optical power.

The peripheral housing 912 may be formed of any suitable materialincluding, for example, ceramic material, a material such as FR-4 whichis commonly used for PCBs, glass, plastic or a metal such as aluminum.The peripheral housing 912 may also provide mounting for and electricalconnections to the detector elements 910. A processor 916 for processingthe outputs of the detector elements 910 may also be mounted on theperipheral housing 912.

It is a particular feature of this embodiment of the present disclosurethat the detector assembly 900 is extremely thin, preferably under 1 mmoverall. Accordingly, the linear arrangement 908 of detector elements910 is preferably 100-400 microns in thickness and the cover layer 914is preferably 100-500 microns in thickness.

The input devices shown in FIG. 14A-14D may also include a source oflight which is preferably external to the input device, for example asshown in FIG. 19. Suitable external light sources include sunlight,artificial room lighting and IR illumination emitted from a human bodyor other heat source. In an alternate preferred embodiment, the sourceof light may comprise an illumination subassembly 917 which typicallyincludes one or more electromagnetic radiation emitting sources, hereshown as a single IR emitting LED 918. The illumination subassembly 917preferably forms part of the integrated display and input device.Examples of various suitable configurations of illumination subassembly917 are described herein below in FIGS. 18A-18F. Optionally, the lightemitted by LED 918 may be modulated by modulating circuitry (not shown).

In the embodiment of FIG. 14A, cover layer 914 is formed of glass or anyother suitable light transparent material.

Reference is now made to FIG. 14B, in which it is seen that cover layer914 includes a field-of-view defining mask 920 having apertures 933formed therein in sizes and arrangements which provide desiredfields-of-view for the various corresponding detector elements 910. Eachdetector element 910 may have associated therewith a single aperture 933as shown or a plurality of smaller apertures.

Field-of-view limiting functionality may be desirable in this contextbecause it enhances resolution by limiting overlap between thefields-of-view of adjacent detector elements 910. Extent offield-of-view limiting may be controlled by the size, pitch andarrangement of apertures 933 and their locations with respect to anddistances from detector elements 910. In accordance with a preferredembodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limits thefield-of-view of at least one of detector elements 910 to a solid angleof less than or equal to 15 degrees. In accordance with anotherpreferred embodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limitsthe field-of-view of at least one of detector elements 910 to a solidangle of less than or equal to 7 degrees.

Reference is now made to FIG. 14C, which differs from that of FIG. 14Bin that apertures 933 in mask 920 are replaced by light collimatingtunnel-defining apertures 940 in a mask 942.

Each detector element 910 may have associated therewith a singletunnel-defining aperture 940 as shown or a plurality of smallertunnel-defining apertures.

Field-of-view limiting functionality may be desirable in this contextbecause it enhances resolution by limiting overlap between thefields-of-view of adjacent detector elements 910. Extent offield-of-view limiting may be controlled by the size, pitch andarrangement of apertures 940 and their locations with respect to anddistances from detector elements 910. In accordance with a preferredembodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limits thefield-of-view of at least one of detector elements 910 to a solid angleof less than or equal to 15 degrees. In accordance with anotherpreferred embodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limitsthe field-of-view of at least one of detector elements 910 to a solidangle of less than or equal to 7 degrees.

Reference is now made to FIG. 14D, which differs from that of FIGS. 14Band 14C in that the apertures in FIGS. 14B and 14C are replaced bylenses 953. Lenses 953 may be integrally formed with cover layer 914 ormay be discrete elements fitted within suitably sized and positionedapertures in cover layer 914. Lenses 953 may be associated withtunnel-defining apertures or may comprise an array of microlensesaligned with one or more of detector elements 910.

Field-of-view limiting functionality may be desirable in this contextbecause it enhances resolution by limiting overlap between thefields-of-view of adjacent detector elements 910. Extent offield-of-view limiting may be controlled by the size, pitch andarrangement of lenses 953 and their locations with respect to anddistances from detector elements 910. In accordance with a preferredembodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limits thefield-of-view of at least one of detector elements 910 to a solid angleof less than or equal to 15 degrees. In accordance with anotherpreferred embodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limitsthe field-of-view of at least one of detector elements 910 to a solidangle of less than or equal to 7 degrees.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 15A, 15B, 15C and 15D, which aresimplified illustrations of four alternative embodiments of a portion ofan input device constructed and operative in accordance with anotherpreferred embodiment of the present disclosure, employing forward-facingdetector elements arranged behind edges of a display element.

In the structure of FIGS. 15A-15D, at least one detector assembly 960 isarranged behind at least one edge 962 of a viewing plane defining plate964 to sense light impinging onto detector assembly 960 afterpropagating through plate 964. Viewing plane defining plate 964 may be asingle or multiple layer plate and may have one or more coating layersassociated therewith. The light, preferably including light in the IRband, is emitted by a light beam emitter such as light beam emitter 128in the embodiment of FIG. 1B or a light reflecting object as in theembodiment of FIG. 1A. Preferably, detector assemblies 960 are providedbehind at least two mutually perpendicular edges 962, though detectorassemblies 960 may be provided behind all or most of edges 962.Alternatively, a single detector assembly 960 may be provided behindonly one of edges 962.

The detector assembly 960 includes a linear arrangement 968 of detectorelements 970. As distinct from the embodiments of FIGS. 10A-10D, thedetector assembly 960 does not comprise a support substrate onto whichis mounted a linear arrangement of detector elements. In the embodimentsof FIGS. 15A-15D, the support substrate of FIGS. 10A-10D is replaced bya portion of a peripheral housing 972. Similarly to the embodiments ofFIGS. 10A-10D there is provided a cover layer 974 which providesmultiple functions including physical protection, light intensitylimitation and field-of-view limitation, and may have optical power.

The peripheral housing 972 may be formed of any suitable materialincluding, for example, ceramic material, a material such as FR-4 whichis commonly used for PCBs, glass, plastic or a metal such as aluminum.The peripheral housing 972 may also provide mounting for and electricalconnections to the detector elements 970. A processor 976 for processingthe outputs of the detector elements 970 may also be mounted on theperipheral housing 972.

It is a particular feature of this embodiment of the present disclosurethat the detector assembly 960 is extremely thin, preferably under 1 mmoverall. Accordingly, the linear arrangement 968 of detector elements970 is preferably 100-400 microns in thickness and the cover layer 974is preferably 100-500 microns in thickness.

The input devices shown in FIG. 15A-15D may also include a source oflight which is preferably external to the input device, for example asshown in FIG. 19. Suitable external light sources include sunlight,artificial room lighting and IR illumination emitted from a human bodyor other heat source. In an alternate preferred embodiment, the sourceof light may comprise an illumination subassembly 977 which typicallyincludes one or more electromagnetic radiation emitting sources, hereshown as a single IR emitting LED 978. The illumination subassembly 977preferably forms part of the integrated display and input device.Examples of various suitable configurations of illumination subassembly977 are described herein below in FIGS. 18A-18F. Optionally, the lightemitted by LED 978 may be modulated by modulating circuitry (not shown).

In the embodiment of FIG. 15A, cover layer 974 is formed of glass or anyother suitable light transparent material.

Reference is now made to FIG. 15B, in which it is seen that cover layer974 includes a field-of-view defining mask 980 having apertures 983formed therein in sizes and arrangements which provide desiredfields-of-view for the various corresponding detector elements 970. Eachdetector element 970 may have associated therewith a single aperture 983as shown or a plurality of smaller apertures.

Field-of-view limiting functionality may be desirable in this contextbecause it enhances resolution by limiting overlap between thefields-of-view of adjacent detector elements 970. Extent offield-of-view limiting may be controlled by the size, pitch andarrangement of apertures 983 and their locations with respect to anddistances from detector elements 970. In accordance with a preferredembodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limits thefield-of-view of at least one of detector elements 970 to a solid angleof less than or equal to 15 degrees. In accordance with anotherpreferred embodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limitsthe field-of-view of at least one of detector elements 970 to a solidangle of less than or equal to 7 degrees.

Reference is now made to FIG. 15C, which differs from that of FIG. 15Bin that apertures 983 in mask 980 are replaced by light collimatingtunnel-defining apertures 990 in a mask 992.

Each detector element 970 may have associated therewith a singletunnel-defining aperture 990 as shown or a plurality of smallertunnel-defining apertures.

Field-of-view limiting functionality may be desirable in this contextbecause it enhances resolution by limiting overlap between thefields-of-view of adjacent detector elements 970. Extent offield-of-view limiting may be controlled by the size, pitch andarrangement of apertures 990 and their locations with respect to anddistances from detector elements 970. In accordance with a preferredembodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limits thefield-of-view of at least one of detector elements 970 to a solid angleof less than or equal to 15 degrees. In accordance with anotherpreferred embodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limitsthe field-of-view of at least one of detector elements 970 to a solidangle of less than or equal to 7 degrees.

Reference is now made to FIG. 15D, which differs from that of FIGS. 15Band 15C in that the apertures in FIGS. 15B and 15C are replaced bylenses 993. Lenses 993 may be integrally formed with cover layer 974 ormay be discrete elements fitted within suitably sized and positionedapertures in cover layer 974. Lenses 993 may be associated withtunnel-defining apertures or may comprise an array of microlensesaligned with one or more of detector elements 970.

Field-of-view limiting functionality may be desirable in this contextbecause it enhances resolution by limiting overlap between thefields-of-view of adjacent detector elements 970. Extent offield-of-view limiting may be controlled by the size, pitch andarrangement of lenses 993 and their locations with respect to anddistances from detector elements 970. In accordance with a preferredembodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limits thefield-of-view of at least one of detector elements 970 to a solid angleof less than or equal to 15 degrees. In accordance with anotherpreferred embodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limitsthe field-of-view of at least one of detector elements 970 to a solidangle of less than or equal to 7 degrees.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 16A, 16B, 16C and 16D, which aresimplified illustrations of four alternative embodiments of a portion ofan input device constructed and operative in accordance with yet anotherpreferred embodiment of the present disclosure, employing forward-facingdetector elements arranged behind edges of a display element.

In the structure of FIGS. 16A-16D, at least one detector assembly 1000is arranged behind at least one edge 1002 of a viewing plane definingplate 1004 to sense light impinging on plate 1004 and propagating withinthe plate to the edges 1002 thereof. Viewing plane defining plate 1004may be a single or multiple layer plate and may have one or more coatinglayers associated therewith. Preferably, detector assemblies 1000 areprovided behind at least two mutually perpendicular edges 1002, thoughdetector assemblies 1000 may be provided behind all or most of edges1002. Alternatively, a single detector assembly 1000 may be providedbehind plate 1004 at only one edge thereof.

The detector assembly 1000 includes a linear arrangement 1008 ofdetector elements 1010. As distinct from the embodiments of FIGS.15A-15D, in the embodiments of FIGS. 16A-16D, the cover layer isobviated and its functionality is provided by suitable conditioning ofedge 1002 of viewing plane defining plate 1004. This functionality mayprovide multiple functions including physical protection, lightintensity limitation and field-of-view limitation, and may have opticalpower.

As in the embodiment of FIGS. 15A-15D, detector assembly 1000 does notcomprise a support substrate onto which is mounted a linear arrangementof detector elements. In the embodiments of FIGS. 16A-16D, the supportsubstrate of FIGS. 11A-11D is replaced by a portion of a peripheralhousing 1012.

The peripheral housing 1012 may be formed of any suitable materialincluding, for example, ceramic material, a material such as FR-4 whichis commonly used for PCBs, glass, plastic or a metal such as aluminum.The peripheral housing 1012 may also provide mounting for and electricalconnections to the detector elements 1010. A processor 1016 forprocessing the outputs of the detector elements 1010 may also be mountedon the peripheral housing 1012.

It is a particular feature of this embodiment of the present disclosurethat the detector assembly 1000 is extremely thin, preferably under 1 mmoverall. Accordingly, the linear arrangement 1008 of detector elements1010 is preferably 100-400 microns in thickness.

The input devices shown in FIG. 16A-16D may also include a source oflight which is preferably external to the input device, for example asshown in FIG. 19. Suitable external light sources include sunlight,artificial room lighting and IR illumination emitted from a human bodyor other heat source. In an alternate preferred embodiment, the sourceof light may comprise an illumination subassembly which typicallyincludes one or more electromagnetic radiation emitting sources, hereshown as a single IR emitting LED 1019. The illumination subassemblypreferably forms part of the integrated display and input device.Examples of various suitable configurations of the illuminationsubassembly are described herein below in FIGS. 18A-18F. Optionally, thelight emitted by LED 1019 may be modulated by modulating circuitry (notshown).

In the embodiment of FIG. 16A, a rearward facing surface 1018 of plate1004 at the edge 1002 lying in front of the linear arrangement 1008 isuniformly polished for unimpeded light transmission there-through tolinear arrangement 1008 of detector elements 1010.

Reference is now made to FIG. 16B, in which it is seen that the rearwardfacing surface 1018 of plate 1004 at the edge 1002 lying in front of thelinear arrangement 1008 is conditioned to define a field-of-viewdefining mask 1020 having apertures 1033 formed therein in sizes andarrangements which provide desired fields-of-view for the variouscorresponding detector elements 1010. Each detector element 1010 mayhave associated therewith a single aperture 1033 as shown or a pluralityof smaller apertures.

Field-of-view limiting functionality may be desirable in this contextbecause it enhances resolution by limiting overlap between thefields-of-view of adjacent detector elements 1010. Extent offield-of-view limiting may be controlled by the size, pitch andarrangement of apertures 1033 and their locations with respect to anddistances from detector elements 1010. In accordance with a preferredembodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limits thefield-of-view of at least one of detector elements 1010 to a solid angleof less than or equal to 15 degrees. In accordance with anotherpreferred embodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limitsthe field-of-view of at least one of detector elements 1010 to a solidangle of less than or equal to 7 degrees.

Reference is now made to FIG. 16C, which differs from that of FIG. 16Bin that apertures 1033 in mask 1020 are replaced by light collimatingtunnel-defining apertures 1040 in a mask 1042.

Each detector element 1010 may have associated therewith a singletunnel-defining aperture 1040, as shown, or a plurality of smallertunnel-defining apertures.

Field-of-view limiting functionality may be desirable in this contextbecause it enhances resolution by limiting overlap between thefields-of-view of adjacent detector elements 1010. Extent offield-of-view limiting may be controlled by the size, pitch andarrangement of apertures 1040 and their locations with respect to anddistances from detector elements 1010. In accordance with a preferredembodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limits thefield-of-view of at least one of detector elements 1010 to a solid angleof less than or equal to 15 degrees. In accordance with anotherpreferred embodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limitsthe field-of-view of at least one of detector elements 1010 to a solidangle of less than or equal to 7 degrees.

Reference is now made to FIG. 16D, which differs from that of FIGS. 16Band 16C in that the apertures in FIGS. 16B and 16C are replaced bylenses 1053. Lenses 1053 may be integrally formed at edges 1002 or maybe discrete elements fitted within suitably sized and positionedapertures in plate 1004. Lenses 1053 may be associated withtunnel-defining apertures or may comprise an array of microlensesaligned with one or more of detector elements 1010.

Field-of-view limiting functionality may be desirable in this contextbecause it enhances resolution by limiting overlap between thefields-of-view of adjacent detector elements 1010. Extent offield-of-view limiting may be controlled by the size, pitch andarrangement of lenses 1053 and their locations with respect to anddistances from detector elements 1010. In accordance with a preferredembodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limits thefield-of-view of at least one of detector elements 1010 to a solid angleof less than or equal to 15 degrees. In accordance with anotherpreferred embodiment, the field-of-view limiting functionality limitsthe field-of-view of at least one of detector elements 1010 to a solidangle of less than or equal to 7 degrees.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 17A, 17B and 17C, which are simplifiedillustration of three alternative embodiments of a detector assemblyforming part of an integrated display and input device constructed andoperative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

In the structure of FIGS. 17A-17C, at least one detector assembly isarranged about at least one edge (not shown) of a viewing plane definingplate (not shown). The detector assemblies of FIGS. 17A-17C may beemployed in any of the embodiments of the present disclosure describedhereinabove and illustrated in FIGS. 1A-16D. Preferably, detectorassemblies are provided along at least two mutually perpendicular edgesof the plate, though detector assemblies may be provided along all ormost of the edges. Alternatively, a single detector assembly may beprovided along only one edge of the plate.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, thedetector assembly comprises a support substrate onto which is mounted alinear arrangement of detector elements. Preferably, a cover layer isplaced over the arrangement of detector elements and may providemultiple functions including physical protection, light intensitylimitation and field-of-view limitation, and may have optical power.

The support substrate may be mounted onto a display housing (not shown)or may be integrally formed therewith. The support substrate mayalternatively be mounted onto an edge of the plate. The supportsubstrate may be formed of a ceramic material, a material such as FR-4which is commonly used for PCBs, glass, plastic or a metal such asaluminum. The support substrate may also provide mounting for andelectrical connections to the detector elements. A processor forprocessing the outputs of the detector elements may also be mounted onthe support substrate.

It is a particular feature of this embodiment of the present disclosurethat the detector assembly is extremely thin, preferably under 1 mmoverall. Accordingly, the support substrate is preferably 50-200 micronsin thickness and the linear arrangement of detector elements ispreferably 100-400 microns in thickness and the cover layer ispreferably 100-500 microns in thickness.

In the embodiment of FIG. 17A, the detector assembly, here designated byreference numeral 1100, includes an integrally formed multi-elementdetector array 1102. The detector array 1102 is preferably mounted ontoa support substrate 1104 and overlaid with a cover layer 1106.

In the embodiment of FIG. 17B, the detector assembly, here designated byreference numeral 1110, includes a plurality of discrete single-elementdetector elements 1112 such as Solderable Silicon Photodiodescommercially available from Advanced Photonix Incorporated of Camarillo,Calif., USA under catalog designator PDB-C601-1. The discrete detectorelements 1112 are preferably mounted onto a support substrate 1114 andoverlaid with a cover layer 1116.

In the embodiment of FIG. 17C, the detector assembly, here designated byreference numeral 1120, includes a plurality of discrete multi-elementdetector elements 1122. The discrete multi-element detector elements1122 need not be all of the same size and are preferably all mountedonto a support substrate 1124 and overlaid with a cover layer 1126.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D, 18E and 18F, whichare simplified illustrations of four alternative embodiments of anillumination subassembly forming part of an integrated display and inputdevice constructed and operative in accordance with preferredembodiments of the present disclosure. Alternatively or additionally, atouch responsive input functionality may preferably be operative todetect the position of a stylus (not shown) or any other suitablereflective object.

FIGS. 18A-18F show an integrated display and input device having touchresponsive input functionality, which is useful for applicationselection and operation, such as email communication and internetsurfing. The input functionality may incorporate any one or morefeatures of assignee's U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos.60/715,546; 60/734,027; 60/789,188 and 60/682,604, U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2005/0156914A1 and PCT Patent ApplicationPublication No. WO 2005/094176, the disclosures of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

FIGS. 18A-18F illustrate object detection functionality of the typedescribed hereinabove with reference to FIGS. 1A to 1D. As shown, aposition of a user's finger is detected by means of a touch responsiveinput functionality operative in accordance with preferred embodimentsof the present disclosure.

Turning specifically to FIG. 18A, it is seen that arrays 1202 of lightdetector elements 1204 are arranged at least two mutually perpendicularedge surfaces 1206 of a viewing plane defining plate 1208.Alternatively, detector arrays 1202 may be provided along all or most ofthe edges 1206. As a further alternative, a single detector array 1202may be provided along only one edge 1206 of the plate 1208. Viewingplane defining plate 1208 may be a single or multiple layer plate andmay have one or more coating layers associated therewith.

It is to be appreciated that the phrase “at edges” is to be interpretedbroadly as including structures which are located behind edges, as inthe embodiments shown in FIGS. 10A-10D, 11A-11D, 15A-15D and 16A-16D,about edges as in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 9A-9D and 14A-14D, andalong edges as in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4-7, 8A-8D, 12A-12D and13A-13D.

Suitable detector elements are, for example, Solderable SiliconPhotodiodes commercially available from Advanced Photonix Incorporatedof Camarillo, Calif., USA under catalog designator PDB-C601-1.

The integrated display and input device shown in FIG. 18A preferablyincludes an illumination subassembly 1212 which typically includes oneor more electromagnetic radiation emitting sources. The illuminationsubassembly 1212 preferably provides a baseline illumination level whichis typically detected by detector elements 1204.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure,shown in FIG. 18A, a single IR emitting LED 1216 is provided at orgenerally adjacent to an intersection of the mutually perpendicularedges 1206 along which detector elements 1214 are arranged. The LED 1216is arranged such that light emitted therefrom is projected generallyacross the surface of plate 1208. A suitable IR emitting LED is, forexample, an IR-emitting SMD-LED commercially available from OSA OptoLight GmbH of Berlin, Germany under catalog designator OIS-210-X-T. Itis appreciated that selection of a specific shape and size of LED 1216may be affected by the specific placement of LED 1216 relative todetector arrays 1202 and the interaction between a light beam emittedfrom the LED 1216 and the various components of the integrated displayand input device, including the plate 1208, the detector elements 1204and other layers of the integrated display and input device. Optionally,the light emitted by LED 1216 may be modulated by modulating circuitry(not shown).

Light, preferably including light in the IR band emitted by illuminationsubassembly 1212, is reflected from a user's finger, a stylus (notshown) or any other suitable reflective object, touching or located inpropinquity to plate 1208. The reflected light is propagated withinplate 1208 and is detected by one or more of detector elements 1204.Alternatively or additionally, the reflected light is propagated abovethe surface of plate 1208 and is detected by one or more of detectorelements 1204, which may extend slightly above edge surfaces 1206.Furthermore, additionally or alternatively, the reflected light maypropagate or be transmitted through plate 1208 directly to one or moreof detector elements 1204 and detected thereby.

When the user's finger touches or is located in propinquity to plate1208, the light reflected from the finger is detected by one or more ofdetector elements 1204, as described hereinabove, in addition to thebaseline level of light detected by the detector elements 1204. Detectoranalyzing processing circuitry (not shown) preferably receives outputsof the detector elements 1204 on detector arrays 1202, digitallyprocesses these outputs and determines whether the absolute amount oflight detected by each of the detector elements 1204 or the change inthe amount of light detected by each of the detector elements 1204exceeds a predetermined threshold.

The amount of light detected by the individual detector elements 1204 ona given detector array 1202, as determined by the detector analyzingprocessing circuitry, is further processed to provide an array detectionoutput. The array detection output includes information corresponding tothe location of an impingement point of the user's finger relative tothe given detector array 1202. Typically, the location of at least onedetector element 1204, in which the amount of light measured or thechange in the amount of light measured exceeds a predeterminedthreshold, corresponds to the location of the user's finger along anaxis parallel to the given detector array 1202.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 18A, two-dimensional locationdetermining circuitry (not shown) preferably calculates thetwo-dimensional position of the impingement point of the user's fingeron or above plate 1208 by combining the array detection outputs of atleast two detector arrays, typically arranged along at least twomutually perpendicular edges 1206 of plate 1208.

Reference is now made to FIG. 18B, which shows arrays 1222 of lightdetector elements 1224 arranged at least two mutually perpendicular edgesurfaces 1226 of a viewing plane defining plate 1228. Alternatively,detector arrays 1222 may be provided along all or most of the edges1226. As a further alternative, a single detector array 1222 may beprovided along only one edge 1226 of the plate 1228. Viewing planedefining plate 1228 may be a single or multiple layer plate and may haveone or more coating layers associated therewith.

It is to be appreciated that the phrase “at edges” is to be interpretedbroadly as including structures which are located behind edges, as inthe embodiments shown in FIGS. 10A-10D, 11A-11D, 15A-15D and 16A-16D,about edges as in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 9A-9D and 14A-14D, andalong edges as in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4-7, 8A-8D, 12A-12D and13A-13D.

Suitable detector elements are, for example, Solderable SiliconPhotodiodes commercially available from Advanced Photonix Incorporatedof Camarillo, Calif., USA under catalog designator PDB-C601-1.

The integrated display and input device shown in FIG. 18B preferablyincludes an illumination subassembly 1232 which typically includes oneor more electromagnetic radiation emitting sources. The illuminationsubassembly 1232 preferably provides a baseline illumination level whichis typically detected by detector elements 1224.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure,shown in FIG. 18B, a single IR emitting LED 1236 is provided at orgenerally adjacent to an intersection of mutually perpendicular edges1226 along which detector elements 1224 are not arranged. The LED 1236is arranged such that light emitted therefrom is projected generallyacross the surface of plate 1228. A suitable IR emitting LED is, forexample, an IR-emitting SMD-LED commercially available from OSA OptoLight GmbH of Berlin, Germany under catalog designator OIS-210-X-T. Itis appreciated that selection of a specific shape and size of LED 1236may be affected by the specific placement of LED 1236 relative todetector arrays 1222 and the interaction between a light beam emittedfrom the LED 1236 and the various components of the integrated displayand input device, including the plate 1228, the detector elements 1224and other layers of the integrated display and input device. Optionally,the light emitted by LED 1236 may be modulated by modulating circuitry(not shown).

Light, preferably including light in the IR band emitted by illuminationsubassembly 1232, is propagated generally across the surface of plate1228 and is detected by one or more of detector elements 1224.Alternatively or additionally, the light is propagated above the surfaceof plate 1228 and is detected by one or more of detector elements 1224,which may optionally extend slightly above edge surfaces 1226.Furthermore, additionally or alternatively, the light may propagate orbe transmitted through plate 1228 directly to one or more of detectorelements 1224 and detected thereby.

The light is deflected by a user's finger, a stylus (not shown) or anyother suitable object, touching or located in propinquity to plate 1228.When the user's finger touches or is located in propinquity to plate1228, the amount of light detected by one or more of detector elements1224 is typically reduced relative to the baseline level of lightdetected by the detector elements 1224. Detector analyzing processingcircuitry (not shown) preferably receives outputs of the detectorelements 1224 on detector arrays 1222, digitally processes these outputsand determines whether the absolute amount of light detected by each ofthe detector elements 1224 is below a predetermined threshold, orwhether the change in the amount of light detected by each of thedetector elements 1224 exceeds a predetermined threshold.

The amount of light detected by the individual detector elements 1224 ona given detector array 1222, as determined by the detector analyzingprocessing circuitry, is further processed to provide an array detectionoutput. The array detection output includes information corresponding tothe location of an impingement point of the user's finger relative tothe given detector array 1222. Typically, the location of at least onedetector element 1224, in which the amount of light measured is below apredetermined threshold or the change in the amount of light measuredexceeds a predetermined threshold, corresponds to the location of theuser's finger along an axis parallel to the given detector array 1222.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 18B, two-dimensional locationdetermining circuitry (not shown) preferably calculates thetwo-dimensional position of the impingement point of the user's fingeron or above plate 1228 by combining the array detection outputs of atleast two detector arrays, typically arranged along at least twomutually perpendicular edges 1226 of plate 1228.

Reference is now made to FIG. 18C, which shows an array 1242 of detectorelements 1244 arranged in a plane, parallel to a viewing plane 1246. Asseen in FIG. 18C, in one example of a display and input devicestructure, detector array 1242 is arranged behind an IR transmissivedisplay panel 1248, such as a panel including LCD or OLED elements,underlying a viewing plane defining plate 1250. In accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present disclosure the array 1242 is formedof a plurality of discrete detector elements 1244 placed on a planeintegrally formed therewith. Alternatively, the array 1242 may be formedof one or more CCD or CMOS arrays, or may created by photolithography.

Viewing plane defining plate 1250 may be a single or multiple layerplate and may have one or more coating layers associated therewith. Inone example of an integrated display and input system employing an LCD,there are provided one or more light diffusing layers 1252 overlying areflector 1254. One or more collimating layers 1256 are typicallyinterposed between reflector 1254 and IR transmissive display panel1248.

The integrated display and input device shown in FIG. 18C preferablyincludes an illumination subassembly 1262 which typically includes oneor more electromagnetic radiation emitting sources. The illuminationsubassembly 1262 preferably provides a baseline illumination level whichis typically detected by detector elements 1244.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure,shown in FIG. 18C, a generally linear arrangement of multiple IRemitting LEDs 1266 is provided, in parallel with one or more of edges1268 of the integrated display and input device. The LEDs 1266 arearranged such that light emitted therefrom is projected generally acrossthe surface of plate 1208. Suitable IR emitting LEDs are, for example,IR-emitting SMD-LEDs commercially available from OSA Opto Light GmbH ofBerlin, Germany under catalog designator OIS-210-X-T. It is appreciatedthat selection of a specific shapes and sizes of LEDs 1266 may beaffected by the specific placement of the LEDs 1266 relative to array1242 and the interaction between light beams emitted from the LEDs 1266and the various components of the integrated display and input device,including the plate 1250, the detector elements 1244, the diffusinglayers 1252, collimating layers 1256, reflecting layers 1254 and otherlayers of the integrated display and input device. Optionally, the lightemitted by LEDs 1266 may be modulated by modulating circuitry (notshown).

Light, preferably including light in the IR band emitted by illuminationsubassembly 1262, is reflected from a user's finger, a stylus (notshown) or any other suitable reflective object, touching or located inpropinquity to plate 1250. The reflected light is propagated throughplate 1250 and is detected by one or more of detector elements 1244.

When the user's finger touches or is located in propinquity to plate1250, the light reflected from the finger is detected by one or more ofdetector elements 1244, as described hereinabove, in addition to thebaseline level of light detected by the detector elements 1244. Detectoranalyzing processing circuitry (not shown) preferably receives outputsof the detector elements 1244 on detector array 1242, digitallyprocesses these outputs and determines whether the absolute amount oflight detected by each of the detector elements 1244 or the change inthe amount of light detected by each of the detector elements 1244exceeds a predetermined threshold.

The amount of light detected by the individual detector elements 1244 asdetermined by the detector analyzing processing circuitry, is furtherprocessed to provide an array detection output. The array detectionoutput includes information corresponding to the location of animpingement point of the user's finger relative to array 1242.Typically, the location of at least one detector element 1244, in whichthe amount of light measured or the change in the amount of lightmeasured exceeds a predetermined threshold, corresponds to thetwo-dimensional location of the user's finger in a plane parallel toarray 1242.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 18C, optional three-dimensionallocation determining circuitry (not shown) may be provided to calculatethe three-dimensional (X, Y, Z and/or angular orientation) position ofthe impingement point of the user's finger on or above plate 1250 byprocessing the detector element outputs of at least two detectorelements to define the shape and size of an impingement area, asdescribed in assignee's U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos.60/715,546; 60/734,027; 60/789,188 and 60/682,604, U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2005/0156914A1 and PCT Patent ApplicationPublication No. WO 2005/094176, the disclosures of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

Reference is now made FIG. 18D, which shows arrays 1272 of lightdetector elements 1274 arranged at least two mutually perpendicular edgesurfaces 1276 of a viewing plane defining plate 1278. Alternatively,detector arrays 1272 may be provided along all or most of the edges1276. As a further alternative, a single detector array 1272 may beprovided along only one edge 1276 of the plate 1278. Viewing planedefining plate 1278 may be a single or multiple layer plate and may haveone or more coating layers associated therewith. Optionally, one or moreof detector arrays 1272 may be arranged such that the detector elements1274 thereof extend slightly above the surface of viewing plane definingplate 1278.

It is to be appreciated that the phrase “at edges” is to be interpretedbroadly as including structures which are located behind edges, as inthe embodiments shown in FIGS. 10A-10D, 11A-11D, 15A-15D and 16A-16D,about edges as in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 9A-9D and 14A-14D, andalong edges as in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4-7, 8A-8D, 12A-12D and13A-13D.

Suitable detector elements are, for example, Solderable SiliconPhotodiodes commercially available from Advanced Photonix Incorporatedof Camarillo, Calif., USA under catalog designator PDB-C601-1.

The integrated display and input device shown in FIG. 18D preferablyincludes an illumination subassembly 1282 which typically includes oneor more electromagnetic radiation emitting sources. The illuminationsubassembly 1282 preferably provides a baseline illumination level whichis typically detected by detector elements 1274.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure,shown in FIG. 18D, one or more IR emitting LEDs 1286 is provided at,generally adjacent to, or interspersed among, a linear arrangement ofdisplay backlight LEDs (not shown), typically provided underlying andaligned with edges of a plane of an IR transmissive display panel 1288,such as an LCD or OLED, which underlies and is generally parallel to aviewing plane defining plate 1278.

A suitable IR emitting LED is, for example, an SMD type IR GaAs LEDcommercially available from Marubeni America Corporation of Santa Clara,Calif., USA under catalog designator SMC940. It is appreciated thatselection of a specific shapes and sizes of LEDs 1286 may be affected bythe specific placement of LEDs 1286 relative to detector arrays 1272 andthe interaction between light beams emitted from the LEDs 1286, lightbeams emitted from other backlight LEDs, and the various components ofthe integrated display and input device, including backlight LEDs, theplate 1278, the detector elements 1274 and other layers of theintegrated display and input device. Optionally, the light emitted byLED 1286 may be modulated by modulating circuitry (not shown).

In one preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the detectorelements 1274 are operative to detect visible wavelengths of lightemitted from visible light-emitting backlight LEDs. In another preferredembodiment of the present disclosure, backlight LEDs are selected toprovide both IR and visible light wavelength emanations.

The IR emitting LEDs 1286 are arranged such that light emitted therefromis projected generally through one or more diffusing and/or collimatinglayers 1290 typically underlying the IR transmissive display panel 1288.The IR emitting LEDs 1286 may additionally or alternatively be arrangedsuch that light emitted therefrom is reflected by one or more reflectinglayers 1292, underlying and generally parallel to the plane of the IRtransmissive display panel 1288. Typically, both diffusing layers 1290and reflecting layers 1292 are provided, to aid in propagating thebacklight and IR light through the transmissive display panel 1288.

Light, preferably including light in the IR band emitted by illuminationsubassembly 1282, is reflected from a user's finger, a stylus (notshown) or any other suitable reflective object, touching or located inpropinquity to plate 1278. The reflected light is propagated withinplate 1278 and is detected by one or more of detector elements 1274.Alternatively or additionally, the reflected light is propagated abovethe surface of plate 1278 and is detected by one or more of detectorelements 1274, which may extend slightly above edge surfaces 1276.Furthermore, additionally or alternatively, the reflected light maypropagate or be transmitted through plate 1278 directly to one or moreof detector elements 1274 and detected thereby.

When the user's finger touches or is located in propinquity to plate1278, the light reflected from the finger is detected by one or more ofdetector elements 1274, as described hereinabove, in addition to thebaseline level of light detected by the detector elements 1274. Detectoranalyzing processing circuitry (not shown) preferably receives outputsof the detector elements 1274 on detector arrays 1272, digitallyprocesses these outputs and determines whether the absolute amount oflight detected by each of the detector elements 1274 or the change inthe amount of light detected by each of the detector elements 1274exceeds a predetermined threshold.

The amount of light detected by the individual detector elements 1274 ona given detector array 1272, as determined by the detector analyzingprocessing circuitry, is further processed to provide an array detectionoutput. The array detection output includes information corresponding tothe location of an impingement point of the user's finger relative tothe given detector array 1272. Typically, the location of at least onedetector element 1274, in which the amount of light measured or thechange in the amount of light measured exceeds a predeterminedthreshold, corresponds to the location of the user's finger along anaxis parallel to detector array 1272.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 18D, two-dimensional locationdetermining circuitry (not shown) preferably calculates thetwo-dimensional position of the impingement point of the user's fingeron or above plate 1278 by combining the array detection outputs of atleast two arrays, typically arranged along at least two mutuallyperpendicular edges 1276 of plate 1278.

Reference is now made to FIG. 18E, which shows a single array 1302 oflight detector elements 1304 arranged at an edge surface 1306 of aviewing plane defining plate 1308. Viewing plane defining plate 1308 maybe a single or multiple layer plate and may have one or more coatinglayers associated therewith.

It is to be appreciated that the phrase “at an edge” is to beinterpreted broadly as including structures which are located behind anedge, as in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 10A-10D, 11A-11D, 15A-15D and16A-16D, about an edge as in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 9A-9D and14A-14D, and along an edge as in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4-7,8A-8D, 12A-12D and 13A-13D.

Suitable detector elements are, for example, Solderable SiliconPhotodiodes commercially available from Advanced Photonix Incorporatedof Camarillo, Calif., USA under catalog designator PDB-C601-1.

The integrated display and input device shown in FIG. 18E preferablyincludes an illumination subassembly 1312 which typically includes oneor more electromagnetic radiation emitting sources. The illuminationsubassembly 1312 preferably provides a baseline illumination level whichis typically detected by detector elements 1304.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure,shown in FIG. 18E, a generally linear arrangement of multiple IRemitting LEDs 1316 is provided, in parallel with one or more of edges1306. The LEDs 1316 are arranged such that light emitted therefrom isprojected generally across the surface of plate 1308. Illuminationsubassembly 1312 may be arranged in parallel to detector array 1302, atan edge perpendicular to detector array 1302, or may be arranged at anedge opposite or otherwise not adjacent or perpendicular to detectorarray 1302.

Suitable IR emitting LEDs are, for example, the IR-emitting SMD-LEDscommercially available from OSA Opto Light GmbH of Berlin, Germany undercatalog designator OIS-210-X-T. It is appreciated that selection of aspecific shapes and sizes of LEDs 1316 may be affected by the specificplacement of the illumination subassembly 1312 relative to detectorarray 1302 and the interaction between light beams emitted from the LEDs1316 and the various components of the integrated display and inputdevice, including the plate 1308, the detector elements 1304 and otherlayers of the integrated display and input device. Optionally, the lightemitted by LEDs 1316 may be modulated by modulating circuitry (notshown).

Light, preferably including light in the IR band emitted by illuminationsubassembly 1312, is reflected from a user's finger, a stylus (notshown) or any other suitable reflective object, touching or located inpropinquity to plate 1308. The reflected light is propagated withinplate 1308 and is detected by one or more of detector elements 1304.Alternatively or additionally, the reflected light is propagated abovethe surface of plate 1308 and is detected by one or more of detectorelements 1304, which may extend slightly above edge surfaces 1306.Furthermore, additionally or alternatively, the reflected light maypropagate or be transmitted through plate 1308 directly to one or moreof detector elements 1304 and detected thereby.

When the user's finger touches or is located in propinquity to plate1308, the light reflected from the finger is detected by one or more ofdetector elements 1304, as described hereinabove, in addition to thebaseline level of light detected by the detector elements 1304. Detectoranalyzing processing circuitry (not shown) preferably receives outputsof the detector elements 1304 on detector array 1302, digitallyprocesses these outputs and determines whether the absolute amount oflight detected by each of the detector elements 1304 or the change inthe amount of light detected by each of the detector elements 1304exceeds a predetermined threshold.

The amount of light detected by the individual detector elements 1304 onarray 1302, as determined by the detector analyzing processingcircuitry, is further processed to provide an array detection output.The array detection output includes information corresponding to thelocation of an impingement point of the user's finger relative todetector array 1302. Typically, the location of at least one detectorelement 1304, in which the amount of light measured or the change in theamount of light measured exceeds a predetermined threshold, correspondsto the location of the user's finger along an axis parallel to array1302.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 18E, two-dimensional locationdetermining circuitry (not shown) preferably calculates thetwo-dimensional position of the impingement point of the user's fingeron or above plate 1308 by further utilizing the array detection outputand the information corresponding to the location of the impingementpoint of the user's finger relative to the array included therein, asdescribed herein below.

Whereas the location of at least one detector element 1304 on array1302, in which the amount of light measured or the change in the amountof light measured exceeds a predetermined threshold, corresponds to thelocation of the user's finger along an axis parallel to array 1302, thestrength of the signal output of that detector element 1304 decreases asthe distance of the impingement point of the user's finger from array1302 along an axis generally perpendicular to the axis of the array 1302increases. Conversely, the strength of the signal output of the detectorelement 1304 increases as the distance of the impingement point of theuser's finger from array 1302 along an axis generally perpendicular tothe axis of the array 1302 decreases. These characteristics of thevarious components of the integrated display and input device areemployed by the two-dimensional location determining circuitry tocalculate the two-dimensional position of the impingement point of theuser's finger on the plate 1308 or above it.

Reference is now made to FIG. 18F, which shows an integrated display andinput device having touch responsive input functionality. As seen inFIG. 18F, a multiplicity of light detector elements 1322 areinterspersed among light emitters 1324 arranged in a plane 1326underlying a viewing plane defining plate 1328. Examples of such astructure are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,034,866 and U.S. PatentApplication Publication Nos. 2006/0132463A1, 2006/0007222A1 and2004/00012565A1, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

Viewing plane defining plate 1328 may be a single or multiple layerplate and may have one or more coating layers associated therewith. Inone example of an integrated display and input system employing lightdetector elements interspersed among light emitting elements, there areprovided one or more light diffusing layers 1330 overlying a reflector1332. One or more collimating layers 1334 may be interposed betweenreflector 1332 and the plane 1326 which includes the light detector andlight emitting elements.

The integrated display and input device shown in FIG. 18F preferablyincludes an illumination subassembly 1342 which typically includes oneor more electromagnetic radiation emitting sources. The illuminationsubassembly 1342 preferably provides a baseline illumination level whichis typically detected by detector elements 1322.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure,shown in FIG. 18F, a generally linear arrangement of multiple IRemitting LEDs 1346 is provided, generally in parallel with one or moreof edges 1348 of plate 1328. The LEDs 1246 are arranged such that lightemitted therefrom is projected generally across the surface of plate1328. Suitable IR emitting LEDs are, for example, IR-emitting SMD-LEDscommercially available from OSA Opto Light GmbH of Berlin, Germany undercatalog designator OIS-210-X-T. It is appreciated that selection of aspecific shapes and sizes of LEDs 1346 may be affected by the specificplacement of the LEDs 1346 relative to plane 1326 and the interactionbetween one or more light beams emitted from LEDs 1346 and the variouscomponents of the integrated display and input device including theplate 1328, the detector elements 1322, diffusing layers 1330,collimating layers 1334, reflecting layers 1332 and other layers of theintegrated display and input device. Optionally, the light emitted byLEDs 1346 may be modulated by modulating circuitry (not shown).

Light, preferably including light in the IR band emitted by illuminationsubassembly 1342, is reflected from a user's finger, a stylus (notshown) or any other suitable reflective object, touching or located inpropinquity to plate 1328. The reflected light is propagated throughplate 1328 and is detected by one or more of detector elements 1322.

When the user's finger touches or is located in propinquity to plate1328, the light reflected from the finger is detected by one or more ofdetector elements 1322, in addition to the baseline level of lightdetected by the detector elements 1322. Detector analyzing processingcircuitry preferably receives outputs of the detector elements 1322,digitally processes these outputs and determines whether the absoluteamount of light detected by each of the detector elements 1322 or thechange in the amount of light detected by each of the detector elements1322 exceeds a predetermined threshold.

The amount of light detected by the individual detector elements 1322,as determined by the detector analyzing processing circuitry, is furtherprocessed to provide an array detection output. The array detectionoutput includes information corresponding to the location of animpingement point of the user's finger. Typically, the location of atleast one detector element 1322, in which the amount of light measuredor the change in the amount of light measured exceeds a predeterminedthreshold, corresponds to the two-dimensional location of the user'sfinger on or above plate 1328 and parallel to plane 1326.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 18F, optional three-dimensionallocation determining circuitry (not shown) may be provided to calculatethe three-dimensional (X, Y, Z and/or angular orientation) position ofthe impingement point of the user's finger on or above plate 1328 byprocessing the detector element outputs of at least two detectorelements to define the shape and size of an impingement area, asdescribed in assignee's U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos.60/715,546; 60/734,027; 60/789,188 and 60/682,604, U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2005/0156914A1 and PCT Patent ApplicationPublication No. WO 2005/094176, the disclosures of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

It is appreciated that any of the configurations of the illuminationsubassemblies shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 18A-18F may be combinedwith any of the detector array configurations shown in FIGS. 1-18F.

Reference is now made to FIG. 19, which is a simplified illustration ofan integrated display and input device constructed and operative inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure,utilizing electromagnetic radiation from a source external to theintegrated display and input device.

As seen in FIG. 19, arrays 1402 of light detector elements 1404 arearranged at least two mutually perpendicular edge surfaces 1406 of aviewing plane defining plate 1408. Alternatively, detector arrays 1402may be provided along all or most of the edges 1406. As a furtheralternative, a single detector array 1402 may be provided along only oneedge 1406 of the plate 1408. Viewing plane defining plate 1408 may be asingle or multiple layer plate and may have one or more coating layersassociated therewith.

It is to be appreciated that the phrase “at edges” is to be interpretedbroadly as including structures which are located behind edges, as inthe embodiments shown in FIGS. 10A-10D, 11A-11D, 15A-15D and 16A-16D,about edges as in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 9A-9D and 14A-14D, andalong edges as in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4-7, 8A-8D, 12A-12D and13A-13D.

Suitable detector elements are, for example, Solderable SiliconPhotodiodes commercially available from Advanced Photonix Incorporatedof Camarillo, Calif., USA under catalog designator PDB-C601-1.

Light incident upon the viewing plate 1408, preferably including lightin the IR band emitted by one or more sources of illumination externalto the integrated display and input device, is propagated within plate1408 and is detected by one or more of detector elements 1404.Alternatively or additionally, the incident light is propagated abovethe surface of plate 1408 and is detected by one or more of detectorelements 1404, which may extend slightly above edge surfaces 1406.Furthermore, additionally or alternatively, the incident light maypropagate or be transmitted through plate 1408 directly to one or moreof detector elements 1404 and detected thereby. The detection ofincident light by detector elements 1404 defines a baseline illuminationlevel therefore.

Light, preferably including light in the IR band emitted by one or moresources of illumination external to the integrated display and inputdevice, is reflected from a user's finger, a stylus (not shown) or anyother suitable reflective object, touching or located in propinquity toplate 1408. The reflected light is propagated within plate 1408 and isdetected by one or more of detector elements 1404. Alternatively oradditionally, the reflected light is propagated above the surface ofplate 1408 and is detected by one or more of detector elements 1404,which may extend slightly above edge surfaces 1406. Furthermore,additionally or alternatively, the reflected light may propagate or betransmitted through plate 1408 directly to one or more of detectorelements 1404 and detected thereby.

Suitable external light sources include sunlight, artificial roomlighting and IR illumination emitted from a human body or other heatsource. In an alternate preferred embodiment, the quantity or intensityof the reflected light may be augmented by the addition of anillumination subassembly 1412 which typically includes one or moreelectromagnetic radiation emitting sources. Examples of various suitableconfigurations of illumination subassembly 1412 are describedhereinabove with reference to FIGS. 18A-18F.

When the user's finger touches or is located in propinquity to plate1408, the light reflected from the finger is detected by one or more ofdetector elements 1404, as described hereinabove, in addition to thebaseline level of light detected by the detector elements 1404. Detectoranalyzing processing circuitry (not shown) preferably receives outputsof the detector elements 1404 on arrays 1402, digitally processes theseoutputs and determines whether the absolute amount of light detected byeach of the detector elements 1404 or the change in the amount of lightdetected by each of the detector elements 1404 exceeds a predeterminedthreshold.

The amount of light detected by the individual detector elements 1404 ona given array 1402, as determined by the detector analyzing processingcircuitry, is further processed to provide an array detection output.The array detection output includes information corresponding to thelocation of an impingement point of the user's finger relative to thegiven array 1402. Typically, the location of at least one detectorelement 1404, in which the amount of light measured or the change in theamount of light measured exceeds a predetermined threshold, correspondsto the location of the user's finger along an axis parallel to array1402.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 19, two-dimensional locationdetermining circuitry (not shown) preferably calculates thetwo-dimensional position of the impingement point of the user's fingeron or above plate 1408 by combining the array detection outputs of atleast two arrays, typically arranged along at least two mutuallyperpendicular edges 1406 of plate 1408.

It is appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the presentdisclosure is not limited by what has been particularly shown anddescribed hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present disclosureincludes both combinations and sub combinations of various featuresdescribed hereinabove as well as variations and modifications theretowhich would occur to a person of skill in the art upon reading the abovedescription and which are not in the prior art.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A device comprising: a display panel havinga pixel array that defines a display area, the pixel array is configuredto display digital content; an electromagnetic emitter positionedproximate to the display panel, the electromagnetic emitter emittingelectromagnetic radiation toward one or more objects in proximity to thedevice; a position sensing array positioned proximate to the displayarea, the position sensing array is configured to generate an outputsignal based on at least a portion of electromagnetic radiation receivedfrom an object in proximity to the device; and processing circuitryconfigured to: receive the output signal from the position sensingarray; determine the output signal exceeds a predetermined threshold;calculate a position of the object relative to the device when theoutput signal exceeds the predetermined threshold; execute inputfunctionality corresponding to the position of the object.
 2. The deviceof claim 1, wherein the pixel array forms a display plane and theposition sensing array forms a sensing plane, wherein the sensing planeis co-planar with the display plane.
 3. The device of claim 1, whereinthe display panel comprises at least one of a diffusing layer, areflector layer, or a collimating layer.
 4. The device of claim 1,wherein the object comprises at least one of a stylus, a portion of ahand, or a finger.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the processing unitis further configured to: determine a baseline level of electromagneticradiation proximate to the device; and set the predetermined thresholdabove the baseline level.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein theprocessing unit is further configured to: determine a shape and size ofan impingement area based on the output signal; and calculate athree-dimensional position of the object based on the shape and size ofthe impingement area.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the processingunit is further configured to: determine a shape and size of animpingement area based on the output signal; and calculate an angularorientation of the object relative to the display area based on theshape and size of the impingement area.
 8. The device of claim 1,wherein the processing unit is further configured to: determine, basedon the output signal, a two-dimensional position of the object relativeto the display area.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the inputfunctionality includes launching an application.
 10. The device of claim9, wherein the application includes an e-mail application.
 11. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the input functionality includes a selectionoperation.
 12. A method for determining a position of an object relativeto a device, the method comprising: displaying digital content by apixel array that defines a display area on a portion of a display panel;transmitting, by an emitter positioned proximate to the display area,electromagnetic radiation toward at least one object in proximity to thedevice; receiving, by a position sensing array, at least a portion ofelectromagnetic radiation from the object; generating an output signalby the position sensing array, the output signal representing an amountof electromagnetic radiation received from the object; determining, by aprocessor, the output signal exceeds a predetermined threshold;calculating, by the processor, a position of the object relative to thedevice when the output signal exceeds the predetermined threshold; andexecuting, by the processor, input functionality corresponding to theposition of the object.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:determining, by the processor, a baseline level of electromagneticradiation proximate to the device; and setting the predeterminedthreshold above the baseline level.
 14. The method of claim 12, furthercomprising: determining, by the processor, a change in the outputsignal; and calculating, by the processor, movement of the objectrelative to the display panel based on the change in the output signal.15. The method of claim 12, further comprising: determining animpingement area based on the output signal; and calculating, by theprocessor, a three-dimensional position of the object based on theimpingement area.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein the pixel arraydefines a display plane, the method further comprising: determining animpingement area based on the output signal; and calculating, by theprocessor, an angular orientation of the object relative to the displayplane based on the impingement area.
 17. The method of claim 12, furthercomprising: determining, based on the output signal, a two-dimensionalposition of the object relative to the display plane.
 18. The method ofclaim 12, wherein the input functionality includes launching anapplication.
 19. The method of claim 12, wherein the input functionalityincludes a selection operation.
 20. The method of claim 12, wherein theobject comprises at least one of a stylus, a portion of a hand, or afinger.